Henry injury adds to France's World Cup worries

France fear they might miss both Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry when they face Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier next month.

Playmaker Zidane, who returned to international soccer last month to help France qualify for next year's finals in Germany, faces a struggle to be fit in time for the game in Berne on October 8.

Zidane was substituted with a groin strain in a 1-0 victory over Ireland on Wednesday in Dublin that put France joint top of their group with Switzerland with two matches to play. His club, Real Madrid, said he would be out for three weeks.

Henry, who scored the winner at Lansdowne Road, is suffering from a recurrent groin injury and missed Arsenal's 2-1 defeat away to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his captain would also miss the Champions League game against Swiss side Thun at Highbury on Wednesday.

The last thing France need on the final stretch of the road to Germany is to be without their influential playmaker and their top striker.

"Yes, I am very worried because the matches will come fast," France coach Raymond Domenech said, referring not only to the match against Switzerland but also to France's final qualifier at home against Cyprus on October 12.

Trezeguet returns

"After Zidane's groin injury, this (Henry's injury) is another major concern," Domenech told yesterday's issue of L'Equipe.

There is some good news for Domenech ahead of the match against Switzerland in that David Trezeguet will be back from suspension.

The Juventus striker missed France's last two qualifiers after being banned for two matches by FIFA for headbutting an opponent during a 1-1 draw with Israel in March.