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Blanc stays upbeat despite injury deluge

The 1984 and 2000 winners lead Bosnia by a point but with their rivals hosting Luxembourg on Friday before coming to Paris on Tuesday for a potential automatic qualification shoot-out in the last group game, Blanc could have done without injuries.

Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, arguably France's best two attackers, were called up last week but injuries sustained while with their clubs have ruled them out of both matches alongside midfielder Blaise Matuidi and defender Bacary Sagna.

Blanc, though, is not looking for excuses despite Benzema's absence meaning he may consider his changing system and playing two up front.

"The preparation for the match will be the same. I don't see why I would have any more worries," the coach told reporters.

"They will be two very different matches but with the same objective; to take the points and win both games. Albania are less strong than Bosnia but I'll wait to see who I can pick."

The injury crisis has been eased somewhat by late call-ups for striker Djibril Cisse and uncapped Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu but predicting Blanc's team for Friday will be difficult for Albania's Bosnian boss Dzemal Mustedanagic.

Failure is unthinkable for France, who have steadily improved under Blanc following the ignominy of being eliminated at the 2010 World Cup group stage under Raymond Domenech amid the mutiny scandal and Nicolas Anelka's banishment.