Injuries forces Santini to juggle options

France coach Jacques Santini has had to contend wth a string of high level defections for the reigning champions Euro 2004 warm-up against Holland.

France coach Jacques Santini has had to contend wth a string of high level defections for the reigning champions Euro 2004 warm-up against Holland.

Real Madrid ace Zinedine Zidane pulled out with a groin strain and his place is being filled by Fulham's 21-year-old Steed Malbranque, who recently raised the notion of playing for Belgium, his country of birth.

Also out of contention are Arsenal duo Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires but on the plus side Santini can count on the services of the Gunners' inspirational striker, Thierry Henry, whose silky skills were seen to good effect against Manchester United on Sunday.

Reflecting on the injury situation Santini said: "We will have to wait patiently until the end of (club) competitions to determine which squad we'll be able to take to Portugal."

"I call on all those who want the best for football to rejig the programme for the benefit of the players' health," he added.

Marseille striker Steve Marlet also told Santini he would not be available despite playing 20 minutes of his club's 1-1 draw against Bordeaux on Sunday.

Santini has called up Malbranque, Liverpool's Bruno Cheyrou, Lyon's Sydney Govou and Sochaux's Benoit Pedretti as replacements.

Dick Advocaat, his opposite number in the Dutch camp, has also received some sick notes - three to be precise from Rangers defender Frank de Boer, who is carrying an ankle injury, Lazio defender Jaap Stam, and AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf.

Another defender, Wilfred Bourne is also doubtful with a back problem.

France, aiming to become the first country to successfully defend their title, ran out the comfortable 2-0 winners over Belgium in their last international friendly, while Holland were modest 1-0 winners over a defensive United States.

The French are pitted against England, Switzerland and Croatia in Group B in Portugal while the Dutch are in Group D with the Czech Republic, Latvia and Germany.