France can live without injured Vieira insists Makelele

Claude Makelele said France could survive without captain Patrick Vieira, who will miss their opening match because of thigh injuries.

"Pat is important but we can live without him if we have to," Makelele told reporters this afternoon.

Vieira, who damaged his left thigh muscle in training last week, has been ruled out of France's opening group game against Romania next week.

A decision on whether he remains at the tournament will be taken at the end of this week.

Makelele said he hoped fellow holding midfielder Vieira, who resumed training, would be fit for the rest of the finals.

"He's back in training and he's feeling better and better," said Makelele at France's Swiss base.