Didier Deschamps hopes returning midfielder Abou Diaby will be fit to face Belarus in France s second 2014 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
The Arsenal midfielder was influential on his return to the national side after more than a year s absence, scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Finland on Friday.
Diaby struck in the 19th minute of a largely dour game but his presence in the middle of the park provided a huge boost to manager Deschamps despite tiring late on in the match.
The 26-year-old only appeared four times for the Gunners last season and may be a risk of over-exerting himself, according to Deschamps.
There is a risk for all players (to suffer from exhaustion); for Diaby, perhaps a little more, Deschamps told L Equipe.
He was getting tired, but I was not able to take him off as I had already made other changes. His athletic performance, particularly in the air, was fundamental to our win.
We will see how he recovers, but in absolute circumstances, I don t see why he shouldn t be available on Tuesday.
Deschamps could field striker Olivier Giroud against Belarus, who defeated France 1-0 in their opening Euro 2012 qualifying game in 2011, after he missed the Finland game with a muscle injury.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was criticised in some quarters for his lacklustre performance, but could continue in more of a playmaker role should Giroud start up front.
I m expected to be more in the penalty area. Well, that s what I m going to do against Belarus, Benzema told French TV on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will start again for France amid reports he is angry at being considered Tottenham s number two, despite his eight-million-pound move from Lyon in the off-season.
When I join up with the national team I concentrate uniquely and we ll see about my personal situation when I go back, Lloris said.
Belarus trail leaders France in Group I after falling to Georgia 1-0 in their opening fixture, but will take heart from their win in the most recent meeting between the sides.
Substitute Sergei Kislyak s lone strike consigned France to a chorus of boos from the home fans at the Stade de France when the sides met back in September 2010.
Deschamps will be expecting a much better performance when Belarus take to the same pitch on Tuesday.
