World Cup 2010

Eric Abidal & Jeremy Toulalan Ruled Out Of France's World Cup Playoff Against Republic Of Ireland

Key duo out of second leg...

Nov 15, 2009 7:18:59 PM

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Eric Abidal - France (AFP)

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By Edward Pearce

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal and Lyon star Jeremy Toulalan have both been ruled out of the crunch World Cup play-off second leg between France and Republic of Ireland on Wednesday due to injury.

Abidal has injured his thigh, while Toulalan has still not recovered from the hamstring problem that forced him out of the first leg in Dublin.

Raymond Domenech's side take a 1-0 lead to the Stade de France following Nicolas Anelka's second half deflected strike in the first leg at Croke Park, but it appears they will be without Abidal and Toulalan for the return leg.

Abidal played from the start against the Irish, and with Arsenal's Gael Clichy already ruled out, Lyon's Aly Cissokho may make his international debut in the most pressured of games.

Toulalan, by contrast, did not feature at Croke Park and France may choose not to call-up another midfielder.

The French football federation's website said on Sunday that the two players have not yet been replaced, with Domenech not expected to call-up any replacements.