Zidane injury worry for France

Zinedine Zidane has picked up a thigh injury five days before world champions France launch their World Cup defence against Senegal in Seoul.

The midfielder was substituted in the 38th minute in the 3-2 win over South Korea after complaining of a problem in his left thigh.

France, who trailed 2-1 at half-time to the co-hosts, had to thank Frank Leboeuf’s 89th-minute strike for victory.

Coach Roger Lemerre said: ‘‘Zidane has a small tear, a little pain in his thigh muscle.’’

It remains to be seen how serious the injury is but a worried Lemerre added: ‘‘When it’s muscular, you are always worried because you never know how long it is going to take to heal.’’

Lemerre who admitted to South Korea coach Guus Hiddink that the Koreans had taken France by surprise with their performance, said: ‘‘When a side like Korea is backed by their public, they become very dangerous.

‘‘We have had to fight hard to cope with the skills, with the physical challenge proposed by the Koreans and with their strong will.

‘‘But we never gave it up and we managed to win in the end.’’