France have not lost all hope that injured midfielder Robert Pires will be able to play in the World Cup finals.
France team doctor Jean-Marcel Ferret believes Pires' knee injury may not require surgery and if it does not, there is a "small chance" he could represent the world champions in Korea and Japan.
A final decision will be taken on the 29-year-old, who suffered cruciate ligament damage last weekend in Arsenal's FA Cup win over Newcastle, in three weeks' time.
Ferret said: "There is always hope. If we operate on him, he will never be back in time for the World Cup, but we want to keep our hopes alive, even if they are very small, and Robert believes in that hope.
"If his ligament remains stable, then he will be able to play football soon.
"We will have another meeting in three weeks' time when we will decide if he needs an operation.
"If he doesn't, then he will be able to play again with the proper preparation. There is a small chance and we will try for it.
"Robert will take the final decision on whether to have an operation or not."
Pires was apparently ruled out for the remainder of the Premiership season and this summer's World Cup yesterday, when the Gunners announced the winger would need an operation this week.
But a second examination of his knee in Paris last night indicated the injury might not be so severe.
"We are still waiting to find out if he is going to be operated on or not," said France coach Roger Lemerre, who is currently preparing his squad to face Scotland tomorrow.
"We don't believe in miracles, but a further medical examination in Paris is not so negative. Maybe he already had the ligament damage before the game against Newcastle.
"This is where the little hope lies, but his knee has still been affected."
Earlier, the French doctor who examined the Arsenal star advised Pires that he should waste no time in undergoing an operation on his knee injury.
"I would advise him to have the operation as quickly as possible," said Jean-Henri Jaeger, a French surgeon who specialises in injuries to top footballers.
"It can differ case by case, but personally I always try to operate straight away. It's up to him if he wants to avoid spending the Easter weekend in hospital."
Jaeger, who examined the Arsenal player in Strasbourg on yesterday, said he would need to stay one week in hospital and would need six months to fully recover.