Injuries rule out French trio

France trio Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery and Blaise Matuidi have been ruled out of their country’s final two Euro 2012 qualifiers through injury.

France’s place at Euro 2012 is not yet secure, although they are a point clear on top of Group D ahead of their final two matches – at home against Albania on Friday and again in Paris against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

The three were part of the 24-man squad named by coach Laurent Blanc last week but fresh injuries while on club duty mean France’s resources will be stretched.

“MRI scans have shown that all three are unable to play in the matches,” a French Football Federation statement said.

Regulars Philippe Mexes, Yoann Gourcuff, Abou Diaby and Guillaume Hoarau were already out with long-standing injuries, and on Sunday defender Bacary Sagna broke his leg playing for Arsenal, leading to a call-up for Mathieu Debuchy.

Real Madrid striker Benzema is suffering from an abductor muscle problem, Bayern Munich winger Ribery has a calf injury and PSG midfielder Matuidi has thigh trouble.

Defenders Eric Abidal and Laurent Koscielny remain in the squad but are doubtful with knocks.

“It is part of the job of national coach,” Blanc said.

“Players are subjected to quite a tough regime with (club) matches every three or four days and muscle injuries can multiply. Eric is very important to us. I really hope he will be fit to play.”