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France likely to play one more match without Zidane

Defending champions France are likely to play one more match without injured star playmaker Zinedine Zidane in the match against Uruguay in Busan next Thursday.

French coach Lemerre said he should be cautious in making the decision: "It looks to me as if it is too early for him (to play)."

Zidane sustained a thigh muscle tear in a warm-up match against World Cup co-hosts South Korea last week.

French Football Federation president Claude Simonet said he thought it best if "Zidane just plays in the third match", which is against Denmark.

"His health is improving and he might do a little jogging today. But he will only play when he is fully recovered." said Simonet.

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