Gallas: Told to rest

It is a bad blow, it is always difficult to accept but now I have to rest

William Gallas
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William Gallas admits he is almost certainly out of France's Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy next month, and may not return until October.

The Arsenal defender suffered a groin injury in his side's 1-1 Premier League draw with Blackburn on Sunday and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.

Gallas pulled out of the France squad for their friendly against Slovakia on Wednesday and confirmed his chances of playing against the world champions on 8th September were all but over.

And Gallas, who was originally expected to miss only three weeks, concedes his absence could be double that estimate.

"I believe it is over for Italy," Gallas told L'Equipe.

"You will not see me again until October.

Difficult

"It is a bad blow, it is always difficult to accept, but now I have to rest."

Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech confirmed Gallas' injury was worse than initially feared.

"I am worried about his participation in the matches against Italy and Scotland, I am very worried," Domenech said.

To add to Domenech's concerns he is also without Barcelona's Lilian Thuram (ankle) for the friendly in Slovakia.