Anelka: Injury doubt

Related links

Teams

• Chelsea
• France
• More TeamsRomania

Players

• Nicolas Anelka

Also see

• Fixtures and Results
• Group Tables
• Galleries

Nicolas Anelka is an injury doubt for France's World Cup qualifier against Romania on Saturday due to muscular problems.

The Chelsea striker opened the scoring against Aston Villa at the weekend before being forced out of the action after a recurrence of the muscle spasms which forced him to miss Friday's training.

Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari believes Anelka may not be fit enough for Raymond Domenech for their qualifier, although he feels he may be fit for their friendly against Tunisia on a week on Wednesday.

"I don't know if he will play in national team for France or not because he feels a little pain in his leg and maybe for the first game it'll be difficult for him to play," the Brazilian tactician told France Football.

"But he can stay in the France squad. He needs two, maybe three days rest and then maybe play the second game."

Luck and determination

Meanwhile, injury-hit Romania are counting on luck and determination to beat France, according to coach Victor Piturca.

Piturca is without half of the team's key players due to injury, although he does welcome Cristian Chivu and Adrian Mutu back to the fold.

Romania were stunned 3-0 at home by Lithuania and struggled to beat Faroes Islands 1-0 away in their first two games. They are fifth in the table on three points behind Serbia, Austria and France on goal difference. Lithuania top the group on six points.

Piturca has been forced to pick an inexperienced squad and has called up uncapped central defender Valerica Gaman, but he is backing his young stars to impress.

"Gaman, (goalkeeper Costel) Pantilimon and (striker Bogdan) Stancu are all young, genuine talents and they could be the future of a new Romania national team," Piturca said.