France will be without striker Nicolas Anelka for the all-important final Group A match against South Africa after the Chelsea forward was sent home for insulting coach Raymond Domenech. Andre-Pierre Gignac or Thierry Henry are the favourites to replace him.
Jeremy Toulalan is suspended for the game in Bloemfontein after picking up two yellow cards.
South Africa goalkeeper Moeneeb Jospehs is set to replace suspended first-choice stopper Itumeleng Khune is suspended. Fulham midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi is also banned, so MacBeth Sibaya is ready to step in.
After a tumultuous few days, France coach Domenech insists the decision to send Anelka home was the correct one. The players returned to training on Monday after they boycotted Sunday's session in protest.
They were outraged at the former Real Madrid striker being banished by the French Football Federation after his row with Domenech became public knowledge.
Domenech said: "The sanction is justified and I support the federation. Nobody should behave in such a way. High level sportsmen have to lead by example."
Meanwhile, South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena insists there is no dissent in the ranks ahead of the match Les Bleus. There have been reports of favouritism in Carlos Alberto Parreira's squad as they prepare to face a team in apparent chaos.
But Portsmouth defender Mokoena said: "Some people are so disappointed there have not been any problems in the group.
"The atmosphere is the camp is incredible. I am certainly not aware of any rifts."
Bafana Bafana coach Parreira added: "We've never had any problems during the whole preparation."
Source: PA
