Diaby not out of Ireland playoff yet, say France

Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:00pm GMT

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CLAIREFONTAINE, France (Reuters) - France midfielder Abou Diaby has not been ruled out of their World Cup playoff against Ireland despite his Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's assessment that he would be sidelined for three weeks.

"The tests he underwent this morning were satisfying. He still needs treatment but he is not out (of the playoff)," French federation spokesperson Francois Manardo told reporters on Tuesday. "He is staying with us (at the training camp)."

France visit Croke Park on Saturday (2000) before taking on Ireland at the Stade de France a week later.

On Sunday, French TV channel TF1 quoted Wenger saying Diaby would be sidelined for three weeks because of a calf injury.

Diaby was replaced after 23 minutes in Arsenal's 4-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday.

(Writing by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)