France lose Govou

Lyon star Sidney Govou will miss France's European Championship qualifier with Scotland on Saturday after failing to shake off an ankle complaint.

The flying forward picked up the injury on club duty with Lyon at the weekend and despite undergoing intensive physiotherapy, has been ruled out of the clash at Hampden Park.

France face Faroe Islands in qualifying next week and Govou will also miss that encounter, with the news coming as a blow to coach Raymond Domenech.

Domenech's striking options are stretched to the limit, as Louis Saha is also struggling with a muscle strain.

The trip to Hampden is likely to prove a tough one for France, as Scotland are guarding a 100 percent record, and Les Bleus defender Jean-Alain Boumsong has backed Walter Smith to lead his side to Euro 2008.

Juventus defender Boumsong has experience of life in Scotland, having had a spell with Rangers, and he feels they are poised to climb from the shadows.

Boumsong told stv: "They have some good players and, with their fighting spirit, they can deal with a lot of teams like us.

"If they continue with that, they will go to the European Championships."