Willy's World Cup worry

Sagnol returned to first team action in the game against Kaiserslautern at the weekend, but his troublesome knee has flared up again, and he could now face surgery.

"Maybe the doctors will have to look inside his knee," said Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Hitzfeld and French coach Roger Lemerre will be sweating on the outcome of the surgery to see how long Sagnol faces on the sidelines.

Sangol has impressed Munich this season, and his importance was underlined when he, and French team-mate Bixente Lizarazu were offered new deals to stay at the Olympic Stadium.

Lemerre has also been impressed by the form shown by Sagnol, and he could well force himself into the starting eleven for the World Cup in The Far East.

Sagnol's performances in the Confederations Cup could earn him the right back slot, should Lemerre move Lilian Thuram to centre half.

Sagnol now faces an anxious wait to see the extent of his injury and whether his World Cup dreams are still alive.