Blanc unsure over M´Vila fitness

France coach Laurent Blanc has cast further doubt over Yann M’Vila’s participation in France’s opening Euro 2012 clash with England.

M’Vila suffered an ankle sprain in last week’s friendly international with Serbia.

The 21-year-old, believed to be a transfer target for Arsenal, sustained the injury when tackled by Dusan Tadic early in the 2-0 win, and although he attempted to shake off the knock, he was unable to continue.

The Rennes man was an expected starter in Les Bleus’ midfield for the match with England, but Blanc is cautious about a premature return.

“I don’t know if he will play versus England,” Blanc said to reporters.

“He has a substantial injury, but we should be careful. The injury can move in the right direction in a few days.”

Speaking ahead of his team’s friendly against Estonia on Tuesday, Blanc said he wanted a good performance from his side.

“It is very difficult for me to confirm whether the team that starts tomorrow against Estonia will be the same one that will start against England on June 11,” Blanc said.

“We still have the same goal and objective – to progress past the first round, to reach the quarter-finals and then see where we go from there.

“For us, we want to play well during the friendlies and to have that confidence and conviction in order to achieve our objectives.”

France attacker Florent Malouda said it was important for his side to take the clash against Estonia seriously.

“The most important thing is to keep doing what we are doing, but we still have to increase our level and build up our confidence ahead of the tournament,” Malouda said.

“Of course, the competition itself is always different compared to the friendly games.

“It is essential to enforce good practice, whatever the opposition or match.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/blanc-unsure-over-m%c2%b4vila-fitness/95877/

Injury casts doubt on Lampard for Euros

Veteran England midfielder Frank Lampard’s participation in Euro 2012 is in doubt.

Lampard was forced out of training on Wednesday with a thigh injury, a problem that England’s doctors will assess on Thursday before making a decision on his fitness for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has already been notified of the injury and put on standby.

“Frank Lampard has today (Wednesday) pulled up in training with a thigh injury,” the FA confirmed.

“He will have a scan and be assessed by the England medical team tomorrow (Thursday).

“Jordan Henderson has been put on standby notice as cover whilst Lampard continues to be monitored.”

Lampard, who won the Champions League with Chelsea this season, has played in every one of England’s games at international tournaments since 2002.

He was named in the the final 23-man squad for the Euros when it was submitted to UEFA on Tuesday, but players can be still be substituted before the tournament’s start as long as an independent examination from a UEFA doctor confirms that a player is too injured to play.

England are due to face Belgium at Wembley in their final friendly before the tournament begins. Their first game of the group stage is against France on June 11.

England manager Roy Hodgson has already been forced to make one late amendment to his squad, after Gareth Barry was ruled out of the tournament with a stomach tear.

Henderson had been expected to replace the Manchester City midfielder, but Hodgson opted instead to bolster his defensive ranks with the versatile Phil Jagielka.

Barry’s withdrawal came after third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy was also forced out after breaking his finger.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/injury-casts-doubt-on-lampard-for-euros/95529/