The influential striker is suspended after he got cautioned shortly after the break for clipping Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro in Saturday's 0-0 draw at San Siro.

Raymond Domenech is likely to choose between in-form Juventus striker David Trezeguet and Lyon winger Sidney Govou to replace the Barcelona ace.

France are currently topping Group B on 19 points, one ahead of Scotland, who beat Lithuania 3-1, and two more than Italy.

On the other hand, England midfielder Steven Gerrard, who has a broken toe, confirmed that he will be fit to face Russia in midweek.

The Liverpool skipper played through pain in England's 3-0 thrashing of Israel on Saturday, and he was taken off after 70 minutes with a cramp.

"The toe is fine. All I had was a bit of cramp. I haven't trained much for the last two or three weeks," said Gerrard after the Israel game.

"I will be a lot stronger on Wednesday for getting that 70 minutes in.

"The toe is healing well and that is behind me now. I didn't need a painkiller.

"I've got a few knocks and bumps but nothing that won't be sorted by Wednesday."