Zidane faces last test before Slovenia game

A decision on Zinedine Zidane's participation in France's Euro 2004 Group One qualifier against Slovenia will be made on Tuesday after a training session.

The Real Madrid playmaker, who missed France's 5-0 victory over Cyprus on Saturday, faces a last test at Ljubljana's central stadium.

"If he passes the test, he will play against Slovenia," coach Jacques Santini told a news conference on Tuesday. "Zinedine really wants to play this game".

The French coach denied rumours that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had asked him not to play Zidane against the Slovenians a week before the Champions League starts.

"Such a request would mean they question the quality of our medical staff since we don't ask injured players to play," Santini said.

Zidane missed the first two matches of last year's World Cup with a similar injury to his left thigh.

France, leaders of Group One with a maximum 18 points from six games, need just a point from the Slovenia match to qualify directly for next year's European Championship.

Slovenia require one point to secure a playoff place.