Zidane won't risk thigh injury against Cyprus

France playmaker Zinedine Zidane, who is nursing a left thigh injury, said on Thursday he is almost certain to miss Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier against Cyprus in Paris.

"I'm going to practice on a home trainer today and see if I can resume training on Friday. I hope I could be fit in time for the (next week's) Slovenia game," Zidane told a news conference at France's Clairefontaine training camp.

"I don't think I'll be able to play in Saturday. I won't take any risks."

Zidane was substituted in the first half after straining a thigh muscle during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw at Villareal in a Spanish league match on Tuesday.

France coach Jacques Santini has resigned himself to losing Zidane and has a number of options for the playmaking role.

"The medical staff will take a decision about "Zizou" by Friday afternoon," Santini said. "But obviously he (Zidane) is highly doubtful. This kind of injury requires a three to five day's rest and the Cyprus match is coming too soon."

"But we have learned to play without Zidane, we proved it during the Confederations Cup. If he is out, the playmaking role will be shared between (Ludovic) Giuly, (Robert) Pires and (Sylvain) Wiltord."

Zidane sustained the same injury just before the start of last year's World Cup, tearing a muscle in his left thigh during a warm-up game against South Korea.

The injury forced him to miss France's opening two games at the finals, returning only for the final group game against Denmark in which a 2-0 defeat condemned the defending champions to an early exit from the tournament.

France lead Euro 2002 Group One with a maximum of 15 points from five matches and can become the first team to qualify for next year's finals if they beat Cyprus and if Israel draw or win in Slovenia.