Raymond Domenech is refusing to give up hope that Patrick Vieira will participate in Euro 2008.
French skipper facing race against time
Raymond Domenech is refusing to give up hope that Patrick Vieira will participate in Euro 2008.
The French skipper is currently sidelined with a thigh strain and has been unable to take part in a full training session since incurring the injury.
With the final deadline for squad lists to be concluded drawing ever closer it remains unclear as to whether the Internazionale man will make the cut or not.
France are due to open their European Championship campaign against Romania on Monday and their manager admits that no decision has been regarding the position of the national side's captain.
"I think the official deadline is a couple of hours before the match so we will wait until then," he said.
"The 22 or 23 players I have are in good shape to take part in such a championship."
Doctor
Another former Arsenal star Mathieu Flamini is in line to replace Vieira should he be forced to withdraw.
In Vieira's absence Lilian Thuram will be handed the armband for the Romania clash, and the centre-half admits that he is unaware as to how long the normal recipient of the honour will be missing for.
"I can't tell you, I'm not a doctor," he said.
"Physical problems are normal - there are always these problems before and during a competition."
France are well backed to go all the way in Austria and Switzerland but can ill afford to be without too may of their key players.
Vieira's presence in the middle of the park will undoubtedly be missed, while there remains lingering doubts over the fitness of talismanic striker Thierry Henry.
Doubts
As if the ever growing queue for the treatment room was not causing him enough problems, Domenech also revealed that he fears for his players' mental strength heading into such a difficult set of group fixtures.
Along with Romania, France must also face reigning World Champions Italy and a youthful Dutch side.
"I think our three opponents inspire doubt in our players," he added.
"There are doubts because the group is not easy.
