France keep faith in Barthez

FABIEN BARTHEZ remains coach Jacques Santini’s first-choice goalkeeper for France’s Euro 2004 Group One qualifier against Cyprus on Saturday, despite his lack of match practice.

Barthez has yet to play in the English premier league this season after being usurped at Manchester United by new American keeper Tim Howard.

“Fabien knows he is going to start against Cyprus,” Santini told reporters at the French training camp in Clairefontaine yesterday.

“He remains number one in that position in the national team.” The 32-year-old former Monaco keeper and defender Mikael Silvestre, his United team-mate, missed last night’s training session with slight injuries but Santini said both players would be fit by Saturday.

“By the end of the week, everything will be back in order,” he said.

France lead Group One with a maximum 15 points from five games, ahead of second-placed Slovenia, on 10 points.

Israel are third with eight points, followed by Cyprus with seven points. Malta are bottom without a point.