France v Uruguay: Still no Zidane for French

After France coach Roger Lemerre made optimistic noises about Zinedine Zidane’s return yesterday, the Real Madrid star has not even made the bench for the crunch clash with Uruguay.

Although Zidane is recovering well from his torn thigh muscle, he is not fit enough to play.

Youri Djorkaeff, who replaced Zidane for that shock defeat to Senegal last Friday, also misses out through injury, which means Parma’s Johan Micoud is Lemerre’s only change.

It really is do or die for the World Cup holders and European champions. Lose in the Asiad Stadium and they will be booking an early flight home from Korea.

Win and they will be back in the hunt for a place in the second round.

Uruguay face a similar predicament and defeat for them in the Group A showdown will mean an early end to their campaign.

France: Barthez, Lizarazu, Desailly, Leboeuf, Thuram, Vieira, Micoud, Petit, Henry, Wiltord, Trezeguet.

Subs: Boghossian, Candela, Christanval, Cisse, Coupet, Djorkaeff, Dugarry, Makelele, Rame, Sagnol, Silvestre, Zidane.

Uruguay: Carini, Lembo, Montero, Sorondo, Rodriguez, Varela, Romero, Garcia, Recoba, Silva, Abreu.

Subs: Bizera, de los Santos, Elduayen, Forlan, Guigou, Magallanes, Mendez, Morales, Munua, O’Neill, Olivera, Regueiro.

Referee: F Ramos Rizo (Mexico)