Zidane very doubtful for Slovenia game

Zinedine Zidane is likely to miss France's Euro 2004 Group One qualifier against Slovenia on Wednesday as he is still nursing a thigh injury.

Zidane, who missed the game against Cyprus on Saturday which the European champions won 5-0, trained separately in Ljubljana on Monday.

As his team mates practised passing the inspirational playmaker had a session with defender Mikael Silvestre, who is suffering with a knee injury.

But the Manchester United player linked up with the rest of the squad after 10 minutes while Zidane continued on his own before eventually joining the other players in front of a crowd of 1,500 -- more than the average attendance for a league game in Slovenia.

France lead Group One with a maximum 18 points from six outings, five ahead of second-placed Slovenia.

The defending champions only need a draw to qualify directly for next year's European Championship. Slovenia require one point to secure a playoff spot.