Henry has time to prove form, says Domenech

France coach Raymond Domenech on Sunday dismissed concerns about Thierry Henry’s lack of playing time at Barcelona and said his form at the end of the season would be more important.

“I have a deep respect for the great players, which Thierry was and is,” Domenech said during a question-and-answer session with a studio audience broadcast on the Canal+ television channel.

“He’s not playing but he’s at Barcelona, he’s faced with huge competition (for a place in the team). It’s a difficult period, I admit, but I can’t allow us to talk about ‘Titi’ in this manner.

“We can discuss it, we can debate it, but it’s a question we have to ask on May 11 (when Domenech names his squad for the World Cup).

“Wait, let him get to the 11th of May. I’ll go and see Titi and see what condition he’s in. I’m not going to write off anyone overnight.”

Henry has typically been fielded on the left flank under Domenech but his claim to that role has come under threat following the return from injury of Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and the superb form of Chelsea’s Florent Malouda.

Asked who would play on the left at the World Cup, Domenech replied: “I don’t know. With all the injured players we have at the moment…

“A month ago everyone was saying something else. What matters is the day when we have to make the decision. The key form is May 11. We still have a month.”

Henry, France’s captain and record goalscorer, has started on the bench for Barcelona’s crucial last two matches — the 4-1 Champions League quarter-final second-leg win over Arsenal in mid-week and Saturday’s 2-0 league defeat of title rivals Real Madrid.

France, finalists in 2006, have been drawn alongside Mexico, Uruguay and hosts South Africa in Group A at the World Cup which gets underway on June 11.