Petit closes France chapter

Pires worry
The Chelsea FC midfield player won 63 international caps and scored one of the goals in the 3-0 FIFA World Cup final win against Brazil in 1998, but he had not played for his country since the 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in February. Of greater significance to coach Santini, however, is the news that Robert Pires is a doubt for Wednesday's UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 1 match against Slovenia because of a knee problem. On the plus side, Zinedine Zidane should be fit to return.

Spain duo fit
Spain's Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, should be fit for the Group 6 qualifier against Ukraine. Torres suffered a injury to his left ankle while making his debut in Saturday's 3-0 friendly win against Portugal and was forced to leave the field after just 43 minutes. Alonso completed the full 90 minutes but showed signs that he has yet to overcome an ankle problem that has plagued him since the end of last season. Midfield player David Albelda has rejoined the squad after a bout of flu.

Davids doubt
Netherlands midfield player Edgar Davids suffered a groin injury during Saturday's 3-1 win against Austria and is a doubt for the Group 3 showdown against the Czech Republic in Prague. The Juventus FC player had to come off at half-time with the injury. A Royal Netherlands Football Association spokesman said: "He is suffering from a groin injury, today we will be able to say how serious that injury is."

Lambert boost
Manager Berti Vogts is confident Paul Lambert will be fit to lead out Scotland against Germany in Group 5 on Wednesday. The Scottish captain sat out Saturday's 3-1 win against the Faroe Islands with an ankle problem but Vogts said: "I think he will be able to play. He hasn't been training but he is back with all the other boys now."

Jeremies out
The Germans themselves will be without midfield player Jens Jeremies, who missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Iceland with a sore right knee, after doctors ordered him to rest for another week. Denmark, meanwhile, have lost defender Kasper Bøgelund for the Group 2 qualifier against Romania in Copenhagen after he suffered a groin strain in training. However, midfield player Morten Wieghorst has recovered from his knee problem.

Welsh recoveries
Wales expect to have central defenders Andy Melville and Kit Symons available for the Group 9 qualifier against Finland. Both men missed the 4-0 defeat against Italy but manager Mark Hughes said: "They have every chance of making it."

Butt and Ferdinand miss out
England will again be missing defender Rio Ferdinand for the Group 7 match at home to Liechtenstein after he failed to recover from a knee injury. Midfield player Nicky Butt is also out after damaging an ankle on Saturday, although Steven Gerrard is expected to be available. Staying in Group 7, Slovakia will be without midfield player Igor Demo for the visit of F.Y.R. Macedonia after he strained ankle ligaments in training last week.

Click here to find out the state of play in qualifying groups 1-5
Click here to find out the state of play in qualifying groups 6-10