Ribery, Matuidi join France injury list

Franck Ribery and Blaise Matuidi are the latest to be forced out of the France squad for their crucial UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying double-header by injury. The Bayern Munich winger and the Paris St Germain midfielder join Karim Benzema (thigh) and Bacary Sagna (broken leg) in returning to their clubs, leaving France coach Laurent Blanc with reduced options as they prepare to face Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Paris on October 7 and 11 respectively. Lazio's Djibril Cisse and Valencia's Jeremy Mathieu have been called in as replacements. The French Football Federation (FFF) have confirmed that Ribery has problems affecting both legs and that Matuidi is struggling with a left thigh problem. A statement on the federation's official website www.fff.fr read: "Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery and Blaise Matuidi showed up on Monday morning to visit the team at Clairefontaine France and were immediately subjected to an examination by Dr Fabrice Bryand. "The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans confirmed that none of these three players would be able to play in the EURO 2012 matches against Albania or Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Stade de France. Karim Benzema (left adductor injury), Franck Ribery (injury to both legs) and Blaise Matuidi (pain in his posterior thigh) were placed at the disposal of their clubs and left the technical centre Fernand-Sastre in the afternoon or evening. As of 8.45pm (on Monday night), Laurent Blanc had not yet made a decision on whether to call up one or more players."