Diaby out of return leg in France

France midfielder Abou Diaby – who had been troubled by a calf injury has pulled out of the second leg of France’s World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland, it was confirmed today.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had ruled previously Diaby out of contention after he injured his calf against Wolves last weekend, but the France medical staff declared him fit to stay with the squad.