Blanc: Cabaye indispensable to Les Bleus

Head coach Laurent Blanc has hailed the impact of Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye as France prepare for Saturday night's Euro 2012 quarter-final with Spain in Donetsk.Blanc has had to field countless questions about the dressing room row which erupted among several players after the 2-0 defeat by Sweden in Kiev on Tuesday. But a big plus will be the return of Cabaye, who was rested against the Swedes after impressing in the 1-1 draw with England and 2-0 victory over Ukraine.Blanc said: "Cabaye is indispensable in terms of how he played in the first two games in the competition, absolutely."He added: "We know players like Cabaye bring a lot to the team. You realise how much players like that bring when they are not actually there."He has such great technical ability which really helps the side, gives us a bit more assurance, because we can keep the ball and move it about."He has been an important player for a while now - both with his club and the national side."Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is poised to replace the suspended Philippe Mexes, with Blanc confident the 26-year-old will be up to the task.He said: "It is a big chance for him. When a player doesn't play, you are always disappointed and I know the feeling from my own experiences."But we have only three central defenders and I always said that if we got through the group that Laurent would have a role to play."It is a chance for him. He will be very well prepared, was very close to getting into the starting XI, and now that will happen."

Source: PA