Decision time for Domenech as Vieira holds his breath

RAYMOND DOMENECH names his France squad for next week’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Ireland this afternoon with doubts over his two most senior players.

Captain Patrick Vieira has not played a competitive match for France for over 12 months while Thierry Henry, the interim skipper, only returned from injury last night, coming on as a late sub for Barcelona in their Champions League scoreless draw at Rubin Kazan.

Vieira, who has played in Inter Milan’s last five matches, can assume his international career is over if he is not picked, although he might struggle to break up Les Bleus’ in-form midfield partnership of Jeremy Toulalan and Lassana Diarra.