France await news on injured Henry

France coach Roger Lemerre is facing up to a real possibility that star striker Thierry Henry may miss the World Cup because of a knee injury.

Henry has been bothered by the problem since he joined up with 'Les Bleus' 10 days ago after the conclusion of Arsenal's league and FA Cup double-winning campaign.

The striker did not play against Belgium on Saturday night, and he though he participated in light training on Tuesday, he sat out of Wednesday's practice match against Japanese side Urawa Reds.

"If we are not fully sure on Sunday, then we will be very worried," said Lemerre.

Lemerre, robbed of Robert Pires late in the season because of a knee injury, was deprived of David Trezeguet (knee), Philippe Christanval, Alain Boghossian (ankle) and Lilian Thuram because of various knocks.

Christanval, Lemerre said, had aggravated an old injury this week.

Only Thuram is assured of playing on Sunday against South Korea in their final warm-up game.

Zinedine Zidane has joined up with the team after being allowed to delay his travel since his wife was expecting a baby.

He will start to train on Thursday just eight days ahead of their opening game.