France have confirmed their World Cup squad to travel to South Africa and midfielder Lassana Diarra will not be making the trip due to a genetic red blood cell disorder.
Manager Raymond Domenech will be without the Real Madrid player as tests have proved inconclusive as to when he will make a full return to action.
Diarra has been told to rest for an “indefinite period†following the injury he picked up while taking part in altitude training with the squad on a mountain glacier last Thursday.
Domenech, who will step down after the finals and will be replaced by Laurent Blanc, announced that the 23 players in training at the moment will go to South Africa. Speaking to the French Football Federations’ website Domenech spoke of Diarra’s injury.
“Lassana Diarra’s problem was as much a heartbreaker, as it was a form of liberation. Indirectly, his departure has avoided having to tell a player he would have to go home,” he said.
Domenech will now bring just six midfielders to the finals; Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra, Yoann Gourcuff (both Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon) and Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).
