France hit by front-line crisis

Strikers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet plus defender Willy Sagnol are all doubts ahead of France’s friendly encounter against Belgium on Wednesday.

New trio
Coach Jacques Santini wasted no time in calling up reinforcements, drafting in AJ Auxerre forward Olivier Kapo and Olympique de Marseille's Steve Marlet as cover for his first-choice front pair. Manchester United FC’s Louis Saha and Péguy Luyindula of Olympique Lyonnais complete the squad's attacking roster. Philippe Mexes was chosen as Sagnol's replacement.

Bruised foot
Henry, who scored both goals in Arsenal FC’s 2-0 defeat of Southampton FC in the English Premiership in midweek, bruised his foot in the same game and subsequently missed out on the 2-1 FA Cup win against Chelsea FC on Sunday. He is unlikely even to travel to Belgium, although the final decision rests with the medical staff of the French national team.

Thigh damage
Trezeguet stands a better chance of making the trip but was ruled out of Juventus FC’s Serie A meeting with Reggina Calcio on Sunday evening because of a damaged thigh muscle. Sagnol, meanwhile, sustained a knee injury in FC Bayern München’s surprise 1-0 loss at the hands of VfL Bochum 1848 on Saturday and is not expected to recover in time.

Limited options
Santini's options up front were limited in the wake of Djibril Cissé's five-match ban following his dismissal against Portugal in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off. He had already dismissed a mooted return for Nicolas Anelka, who last year refused a call-up to the national team. France are drawn in EURO 2004™ Group B, alongside Croatia, Switzerland and England, against whom they start their campaign on 13 June.