France

France's Franck Ribery Ruled Out Of World Cup Play-Off With Ireland

The Bayern Munich winger has picked up an injury that will keep him out of both legs of les Bleus' World Cup play-off.

Oct 21, 2009 4:16:09 PM

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Bayern Munich and France winger Franck Ribery has suffered a set-back in his recovery from injury and will not be available for at least another month.

Ribery has been struggling with a knee problem recently, and L'Equipe report that he is suffering with serious tendinitis in his patellar tendon.

This will keep him out for at least another four weeks, but Ribery is thought to be favorable towards an operation.

Should the Bayern man have to go under the knife, he would be out for up to three months. However, it would considerably diminish the possibility that the injury would return.

Whatever course of action he chooses to follow, he will be on the sidelines for France's crucial World Cup play-off with the Republic of Ireland. The first leg takes place at Croke Park in Dublin on November 14, with the return in the Stade de France on November 18.

The news will be a severe blow to under-fire coach Raymond Domenech, who was without Ribery for the last two World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Austria.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

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