France's Domenech has more worries than doubtful Toulalan

France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan has not been ruled out of Saturday's World Cup playoff against Ireland but he is still recovering from injury 24 hours before kickoff, coach Raymond Domenech said on Friday.

Olympique Lyon midfielder Toulalan has not trained since joining up with France this week and could join fellow injured midfielder Franck Ribery on the sidelines for the first leg at Croke Park.

"I have other worries," Domenech told a news conference when asked about concerns over Toulalan's fitness.

"There are 24 players and we must be prepared for both matches. It's the team as a whole that is more important."

"He (Toulalan) has not been ruled out but he is still recovering from his injury... We'll find out tomorrow."

Domenech has had a controversial term in charge despite leading France to the last World Cup final and is under more pressure after a disappointing qualifying campaign when they were surprisingly runners-up in Group Seven behind Serbia.

Impatient Domanech

The coach said he was just keen for the tie to begin.

"I think it's impatience above all. I know what we're facing and I'm impatient to just get playing," Domenech said in reply to a question about the feeling in the French camp, as the rain poured down outside the team's hotel.

Pressed about whether the weather would favour Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni's more conservative approach, the French boss said the result after Wednesday''s second leg in Paris was all that mattered.

"The rain is not an excuse. At the end, it's a question of qualifying for the World Cup, come rain or shine. That (the weather) is not really of importance," he said.

The last time France came to Dublin four years ago they left with a 1-0 win in a World Cup qualifier having drawn 0-0 in Paris but Domenech said nothing could be drawn from those games.

"Both Ireland and France are playing. They are playing in green and we are playing in blue and red. It's not the same players and it's not the same conditions. You can compare both teams but the context and the players have changed," he joked.

"I never speak about the opponent, I have enough problems with the French team. I respect Ireland and know they're a good team." on Friday.

Olympique Lyon midfielder Toulalan has not trained since joining up with France this week and could join fellow injured midfielder Franck Ribery on the sidelines for the first leg at Croke Park.

"I have other worries," Domenech told a news conference when asked about concerns over Toulalan's fitness.

"There are 24 players and we must be prepared for both matches. It's the team as a whole that is more important."

"He (Toulalan) has not been ruled out but he is still recovering from his injury... We'll find out tomorrow."

Domenech has had a controversial term in charge despite leading France to the last World Cup final and is under more pressure after a disappointing qualifying campaign when they were surprisingly runners-up in Group Seven behind Serbia.

Impatient Domanech

The coach said he was just keen for the tie to begin.

"I think it's impatience above all. I know what we're facing and I'm impatient to just get playing," Domenech said in reply to a question about the feeling in the French camp, as the rain poured down outside the team's hotel.

Pressed about whether the weather would favour Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni's more conservative approach, the French boss said the result after Wednesday''s second leg in Paris was all that mattered.

"The rain is not an excuse. At the end, it's a question of qualifying for the World Cup, come rain or shine. That (the weather) is not really of importance," he said.

The last time France came to Dublin four years ago they left with a 1-0 win in a World Cup qualifier having drawn 0-0 in Paris but Domenech said nothing could be drawn from those games.

"Both Ireland and France are playing. They are playing in green and we are playing in blue and red. It's not the same players and it's not the same conditions. You can compare both teams but the context and the players have changed," he joked.

"I never speak about the opponent, I have enough problems with the French team. I respect Ireland and know they're a good team."