France trio battling for fitness

France coach Jacques Santini has a few players still recovering from the effects of the pulsating 2-1 victory over England on Sunday.

Thierry Henry, William Gallas and Claude Makelele picked up the biggest knocks but should be available for selection against Croatia on Thursday.

Santini is unlikely to rotate his squad just yet as victory would qualify France for the quarter-finals and he would then be able to field his reserves in the final group match with Switzerland.

Of the injured trio Makelele is the worst affected and had to follow a specialised training programme on Wednesday at Santo Tirso but is still expected to play.

Probable team: Barthez; Gallas, Thuram, Silvestre, Lizarazu; Pires, Vieira, Makelele, Zidane; Henry, Trezeguet.