France defender William Gallas is a minor doubt for their second World Cup Group A game after missing training with a muscular problem.

The Arsenal player, France's best remaining specialist centre-back, sat out Monday's session and was being assessed before training ahead of Thursday's clash with Mexico.

Gallas, who was partnered at the back by Barcelona's Eric Abidal - a left-back by nature who can play centrally - in the disappointing 0-0 draw with Uruguay in Cape Town on Friday, was rested from training as a precaution having experienced what is thought to have only been a slight muscle discomfort.