France complete a disappointing year without Zidane

France will complete a disappointing 2002 without playmaker Zinedine Zidane when they host Yugoslavia in a friendly on Wednesday.

The Real Madrid player is nursing a sore back and is almost certain to stay on the bench for France's last outing of the year at the Stade de France. Fellow midfielder Patrick Vieira is also doubtful because of injury.

"I can say Zidane is out of this match with 95 per cent certainty," French coach Jacques Santini told a news conference at the Clairefontaine training camp on Wednesday.

"We have two options to replace Zidane - either we slot someone into his position or we change the midfield set-up. Players like Eric Carriere or Olivier Kapo can fit both schemes."

European champions France are never the same without Zidane as the defeat by Senegal and the goalless draw against Uruguay proved during this year's World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

The defending champions were eliminated in the first round in what was possibly the biggest shock in the World Cup's history.

Santini says that at least the withdrawal of the 30-year-old Zidane gives him the opportunity to try out different options.

"All the problems we are having to deal with at the moment are going against what I've said ... about the need to have a stable team. But at least we are going to see how we can cope with all this."

"We will have to prove ourselves to be adaptable and it's going to give a chance to some new players to increase their playing time for France."

Arsenal midfielder Vieira has proved himself a vital cog in the French side and has not missed a match for France since the 2000 European championship. Santini has called up Sochaux's Benoit Pedretti as cover.

Santini hinted that youthful Lyon defender Jeremie Brechet could start the match while Chelsea sweeper William Gallas, who has just two caps, is almost certain to start.

In the midfield Emmanuel Petit, who missed the Slovenia and Malta games last month, could partner Real Madrid's Claude Makelele while the playmaking role could be handed to Lyon's Carriere or Auxerre's Kapo.

After the turmoil triggered by Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka's decision to turn down his chance of a call-up on Monday, the atmosphere was serene on Tuesday.

"For the time being I have much more important things to think about, "Santini said. "I'll review the situation of some players later."