Henry won't play big hand in France bid

2010 WORLD CUP:THIERRY HENRY looks set to be relieved of the French captaincy after it emerged he just squeezed into Raymond Domenech's squad for South Africa having initially been told he would not travel to the World Cup.

The Barcelona striker was reportedly forced to demand a recount, of sorts, in April after Domenech visited his club to inform him neither he, or former Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira, would be in his 2010 squad.

According to Le Parisian, he succeeded in changing the manager's mind, but was forced to accept the role of "joker de luxe" in the squad, meaning he is effectively the 23rd man on the plane.

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, who led the side in the recent friendly games against Costa Rica and Tunisia is expected to take over the captaincy, though William Gallas may be in the running if his injury concerns clear up.

The biggest winner from Henry’s relegation to bit-part role is Franck Ribery, who looks now to be guaranteed his preferred role on the left side of an attacking trio, where he features prominently for Bayern Munich.

Henry came off the bench in the 2-1 win over the Costa Rica and the 1-1 draw with the north Africans in the last week, but on both occasions replaced Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.

It represents quite a demotion for the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, who had such a vital hand in France's qualification for the finals, when featuring in 11 of 12 matches and scoring four goals. Only full back Bacary Sagna played the same amount of games, while nobody scored more.

In fact, the only member of the 1998 World Cup-winning squad still involved with the national team has scored 51 goals in 120 appearances. Despite a below-par season at club level, he would have hoped for a more dignified start to the tournament.

For now, though, he appears to be toeing the party line.

"I had a chat with the coach, he told me that I wouldn't be starting the game," he told L'Equipeafter the draw against Tunisia. "As I've often said, the most important thing is the team. I try to come on and to give something, give some movement when I'm called on.

“We’re not here to know who will play and who won’t play. No one is above the team, we’re all in this to go as far as we can together.”

Domenech was a little more dismissive when quizzed on his decision and, in particular, the alleged meeting in Barcelona.

“I am at Tunisia-France, other people’s gossip is just gossip,” said the coach.

France will face China in Reunion on Friday and open their World Cup campaign against Uruguay in Cape Town on June 11th.