Lemerre to gamble on Zidane fitness

World Cup defending champions are prepared to gamble on Zinedine Zidane’s fitness as they attempt to save their World Cup campaign from disaster following their opening-game defeat against Senegal.

Coach Roger Lemerre will leave it to Zidane to decide if he is fit enough to face Uruguay in tomorrow’s crunch clash in the Asiad Stadium.

Zidane resumed training on Monday after tearing a thigh muscle during a recent friendly against South Korea, and Lemerre is ready to trust the Real Madrid star’s judgement.

The midfielder has been to hospital this week for tests and Lemerre said: ‘‘He himself knows how he is. If he wants to play, and I think he wants to play, I will let him. If he wants to play it is up to him.

‘‘It wouldn’t be that big a risk and if you have a cold and are unwell, then you know best when you are well again.’’