Euro 2012 qualifying preview: France v Albania

France face a battle in their Euro 2012 qualifier with Albania on Friday, with injuries to several big names a worry for coach Laurent Blanc.

Blanc’s team are on top of the Group D table by just one point from Bosnia and Herzegovina heading into Friday’s tussle in Paris.

With the Bosnians hosting Luxembourg the same day, it is likely that things will come down to Tuesday’s clash between France and Bosnia in Paris.

Blanc has a host of his best players on the sidelines, however, with strikers Kevin Gameiro and Karim Benzema, winger Franck Ribery and midfielder Blaise Matuidi all missing.

France are also short at the back, with Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna forced to withdraw after breaking a leg in English Premier League action on Sunday, and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal in doubt with a thigh strain.

To cope with the losses, Blanc has called up Lazio striker Djibril Cisse and Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu – who could make his full international debut – to the squad.

Cisse, 30, said he was thrilled to be back in the national squad for his first involvement since May 2010, and revealed how he had turned down a lucrative move to China to keep alive his dreams of playing for France.

“This summer I had a crazy offer, something unbelievable in China,” Cisse told the Daily Mirror.

“The champions (Guangzhou Evergrande) offered me close to 20 million euros for a two-and-a-half year contract.”

“But it is too soon – the sport rewards me more. And moreover, I have unfinished business. I will not go to such a far away place because I would not get back into the French team.”

“I have not given up. I know that I still have something to bring to the France team. I have improved. I feel stronger than before, mentally and physically. I am more complete.”

“I may have lost some speed with my injuries, but I have gained tactical sense. I want to show it.”