Henry still finding form as Red Bulls debut looms

Thierry Henry says he’s still working his way back into form as he prepares for his debut for Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls in a friendly against Tottenham on Thursday.

The match will be his first since he played sparingly in France’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

“I’m trying to get back into shape. I didn’t do a lot for the past two, three weeks,” said Henry, who has been putting in some extra time on fitness training and shooting drills at the Red Bulls training facility. “I’m not 100 percent, as you can imagine.”

In Tottenham Henry will be facing a familiar foe thanks to his days with rival English Premier League club Arsenal.

The Red Bulls introduced their new European import with some fanfare on July 15.

His arrival in the States follows his release from Spanish club Barcelona and coincided with Henry’s confirmation that he has retired from international football after making 123 appearances and scoring a record 51 goals for France.

Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said Thursday’s friendly, part of an exhibition tournament dubbed the New York Challenge, would give him a chance to make some changes.

Roy Miller is set to replace Danleigh Borman at left back and Seth Stammler will take over Sinisa Ubiparipovic?s spot on the wing. Carl Robinson is slotted into the defensive midfield role.

Macoumba Kandji, a substitute in New York’s 2-0 MLS defeat at Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, will partner with Henry up top. Henry won’t get a chance to play with Red Bulls leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel, who sprained his ankle on Saturday.

In other matches in the friendly competition, Manchester City play Sporting Lisbon on Friday, while on Sunday Man City plays Red Bulls and Spurs face Sporting.