Barthez out of France World Cup qualifiers

September 01, 2004 18:07 IST

Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez will miss France's World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands because of an ankle injury.

Barthez, who was the first-choice goalkeeper in the squad, twisted his ankle in training on Monday, said team spokesman Yann le Guillard.

"Medical examinations confirmed on Tuesday that he would not have time to recover before the game against Israel," he added. "(France coach) Raymond Domenech has added FC Nantes's Mickael Landreau to the squad."

France face Israel on Saturday at the Stade de France and the Faroe Islands in Toftir four days later.

Landreau, who has two caps, was third-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2004 alongside Barthez and Olympique Lyon's Gregory Coupet, who is also in the squad for the first two World Cup qualifiers.

Barthez, 32, has made 71 appearances for his country. He is the last player from the generation who emerged during Euro 96 in England and went on to win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 still playing for the national side.

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