Injuries ease in time for French opener

Hogh is still a major doubt for Denmark

With their first game against the French fast approaching, the mood in the Danish camp will have lifted thanks to the recovery of several key players.

The Danes were fearing the worst with no less then seven of their regulars on the treatment table, including almost the whole of their defence.

However, despite continuing concerns with two of their players, coach Bo Johansson will welcome the news that players such as Brian Steen Nielsen, Thomas Helveg and Jon Dahl Tomasson appear to have fully recovered.

The assistant team doctor Allan Polsen emphasised the relief in the squad.

The pressure is on the other teams in the group and that suits us

Jan Heintze

"The team is fine although we won't be sure about (Martin) Jorgensen or (Jes) Hogh until right before the match," he said.

All 22 members of the squad trained for 90 minutes at the Landgraaf sports training centre in eastern Holland, and the players appear to be relaxed before they play the might of the world champions on Sunday.

PSV Eindhoven defender Jan Heintze is happy with their tag of underdogs.

"France has a team of great players but their attitude may be too relaxed," he said.

"The pressure is on the other teams in the group and that suits us."

Goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel was bullish going into the encounter saying: "France are world champions and are still playing on that momentum.

It's not a problem to lose to someone better than you but I will be really sad and angry if after the match we have the feeling that we did not do everything we are capable of doing."

The squad leaves its base close to the Dutch-German border for Bruges on Saturday and Johansson seems ready for the big game.

"We have respect for France, but we are not afraid of its stature," he said.

Revitalised

France are revitalised with their new look strike-force, including Christophe Dugarry, David Trezeguet, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka, and whatever combination they play, the Danish defence will be at full stretch.

Dugarry is suspended for the opener and coach Roger Lemerre may well start with Anelka.

Dugarry said: "I have been waiting for this kind of competition in attack for some years.

"There are lots of players who can play as target men and that's exactly what I like.

"I am really happy that Nicolas Anelka and David Trezeguet are there. We now have some real number nines."

And even if Denmark are able to keep the French strikers at bay, they still have the unenviable task of penetrating their defence.

Midfielder Emmanuel Petit had a stark warning: "I don't think our defence is weaker than it was two years ago.

"But if we have to win every game 7-5, that's fine by me."