Henry to miss WC qualifiers

Striker Thierry Henry is likely to miss France's final two World Cup qualifiers because of a recurrent groin injury.

"I should be back by mid-October at the earliest," Henry was quoted as saying by sports daily L'Equipe on Monday.

"This is not the kind of injury which is going to put me out for the whole season but it's serious.

"According to the news I have, I would say that I'll miss the next two matches with France but I'll try to do everything to be back as soon as possible."

France face provisional European Group Four leaders Switzerland in Berne on October 8 and host Cyprus in Paris four days later.

The French, who beat Ireland 1-0 in Dublin last week thanks to a goal from Henry, and Switzerland both have 16 points from eight games.

Arsenal striker Henry said he felt some pain after the 3-0 victory over Faroe Islands on September 3 but it became unbearable following the game in Dublin.

He did not play for his club in their 2-1 defeat away to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

"I'm going to rest completely for the next three weeks and we will see how it goes from there," Henry said. "I'll spend some time with my family."

France could also be without playmaker Zinedine Zidane, who has a groin problem.