France unsure of Gallas' fitness
The fitness of William Gallas continues to be the main talking point at France's World Cup training camp in Tignes.
The Arsenal defender arrived in the skiing resort at the weekend and has been training daily with fitness coach Robert Duverne.
Gallas, who suffered a recurrence of a calf muscle injury in March and has not played since, was the main reason coach Raymond Domenech trimmed his 30-strong squad to 24 players, giving himself until June 1 to reduce it to the official 23.
"For the moment, he's okay," said Domenech. "Every training session is a test. It (the calf muscle) will either hold together or break. I'm impatiently waiting to find out."
If Gallas were ruled fit to play, one centre-back, either Sebastien Squillaci or Marc Planus, would probably leave the squad. Otherwise, both will stay and Domenech could play holding midfielder Jeremy Toulalan at the centre of his defence.
Domenech, criticised since his side's Euro 2008 flop and booed by France fans at every game, is likely to be replaced after the World Cup by former France defender Laurent Blanc.
The team, who needed Thierry Henry's infamous handball to qualify for the World Cup through a play-off at the expense of Ireland, have been frustrating their supporters for years and are not among the tournament favourites.
The 1998 world champions should survive a group also featuring hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay but might struggle against more confident sides, as they did when they were outclassed 2-0 by European champions Spain in a March friendly.
Domenech, aware that France came to Tignes to prepare for their 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship triumphs, was not making any predictions.
"The most important thing right now is for the players to get together and prepare in the best conditions," he said.