Henry, Vieira poised for France comeback

Striker Thierry Henry and captain Patrick Vieira suggested they would be fit to play for France against Netherlands on Friday when both players featured in a training match today.

Henry, France's all-time top scorer with 44 goals from 100 appearances, and midfield inspiration Vieira missed the opening group match, a dull draw with Romania yesterday, with thigh injuries.

France said shortly before the first match that Vieira, who hurt his left thigh muscle in training in the build-up to the finals, would stay in the squad for the rest of the tournament.

Henry, who pulled out of a training session last week, said yesterday he had a sore thigh muscle but it was nothing serious.

The two played today in a game at the team's Swiss base near Vevey between the France players who did not start yesterday's game and a regional under-18 selection.

So sorely missed were Henry and Vieira against Romania that coach Raymond Domenech is likely to include them both in his team to face Netherlands, providing they are fully fit.

The Dutch started the tournament in style with a 3-0 win over world champions Italy yesterday.