France looking to finish the job

France's qualification to the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany will be secured should they defeat Switzerland in Bern on Saturday.

France have the same amount of points - 16 - as Switzerland at the top of Group 4 and after returning from Bern, will welcome Cyprus to the Stade de France for their final qualifier next week.

Liverpool marksman Djibril Cisse wants to help France qualify and is in with a chance of starting the game with strike duo David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry out injured.

The 24-year-old is also hoping France can take heart from their 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland last time out in September.

"I think it will be a good match and there will be plenty of goals," Cisse said.

"Our victory in the Republic of Ireland has given us the confidence for this encounter, our opponents will maybe fear us a little more.

"We expect a difficult game. We will have to put pressure on the Swiss and not let them play. We have the potential to create play and manage this game."

On his fitness following his broken leg last year, Cisse added: "I was a victim of my broken leg last year and to find myself back with the France squad less than a year since I did it to play in this crucial match is hard to believe. It shows that with will you can succeed. I am now 100% and have no more pain. This experience has made me grow on all levels."

Trezeguet strained a thigh muscle in his left leg during Juve's 2-0 Serie A triumph over Internazionale on Sunday evening while Arsenal's Henry is ruled out through a groin injury.

A question has lied over the physical fitness of Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane, although he trained on Thursday with the rest of the squad.

After meeting France on home territory, Switzerland travel to Dublin to face Ireland next week.

They won their last game 3-1 against Cyprus.

Defender Philippe Senderos said: "We are first in the group, we are very confident. We will use our qualities. It's difficult to say who are favourites. We will be playing in front of our fans and will benefit from the support."

After 32 months in charge the next few days represent make or break for Republic of Ireland manager for Brian Kerr, with six points an absolute necessity from the Republic's remaining two World Cup qualifying matches against Cyprus in Nicosia, and Switzerland at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday.

Blackburn winger Steven Reid, who has missed most of the last two training sessions with a swollen ankle, will undergo a late assessment ahead of starting what would be his first competitive match for two years.

Damien Duff, it has been revealed, required stitches in a foot injury sustained in Chelsea's 4-1 win at Liverpool, but should be okay, along with Newcastle defender Stephen Carr who has a sore knee.

Ireland are in fourth spot in the group with 13 points.

Israel, who are currently third in the group on 15 points and in with a chance of the runners-up spot, entertain basement side the Faroe Islands in Tel Aviv.

Striker Shlomi Arbeitman is included in Avraham Grant's squad.