Duff in line for start against France

Soccer: Damien Duff returned to the Fulham starting line-up for today’s premier League encounter away to Wigan, raising hopes that the winger will be fit to face France in next Saturday’s World Cup play-off at Croke Park.

Duff was originally sidelined for today’s league match, but instead manager Roy Hodgson has started the Republic of Ireland international.

Giovanni Trapattoni will surely be watching closely to see if Duff comes through today’s match unscathed.

Elsewhere Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will not be feature for France according to his club manager Arsene Wenger.

Wenger was quoted as saying Diaby would be sidelined for three weeks because of a calf injury sustained during yesterday’s 4-1 win over Wolves. Diaby was replaced after 23 minutes.

It means Diaby would also miss the second leg of the play-off which takes place in Paris the following Wednesday (18th).