France captain Patrice Evra has dismissed claims there is disharmony within the squad and that players do not play as a team.

Earlier this week France legend Zinedine Zidane criticised Les Bleus for a lack of teamwork, suggesting egos were preventing the side working together.

There were also reports Chelsea winger Florent Malouda had been involved in a row with coach Raymond Domenech in training prior to their opening Group A goalless draw with Uruguay, for which he was only a substitute.

However, Evra insisted there was a good team spirit and they were fully focused on securing victory in Thursday's match against Mexico at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

"I like to play within a very good team spirit," said the Manchester United left-back.

"I am always making sure that the group remains together and in good spirits and we remain friends, play closely together and are frank with one another so we don't take our problems out onto the pitch.

"Since the first day you could feel this team was closely-knit and after each training session there are little gestures that cannot lie.

"We do not all retire to our rooms after the meal; we try to play together, to work in a very good spirit and remain together as much as possible.

"If you look at our qualifying campaign it was not easy (France qualified via a play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland) but in the end we qualified and that illustrates how closely-knit the team is.

"We are a strong team, confident in one another and not scared of anyone.

"I can assure you this team will remain closely-knit right until the end.

"The team is impatient but we are confident. We know it is a very important game."

Domenech has also come under fire from Zidane, who claimed the 58-year-old "is not a coach".

However, should his side beat Mexico tomorrow he will become his country's most successful manager in terms of victories with 42, one more than Michel Hidalgo (1976-84).

That has not stopped the criticism, though, which began even before the last World Cup - where France finished runners-up - increased when they exited Euro 2008 at the group stage and shows no signs of easing as he enters final few days of his six-year reign before he is replaced by former Bordeaux coach and 1998 World Cup-winner Laurent Blanc.

"I have said over the last six years that I don't care, I could not care less," said Domenech of the criticism he receives.

"Whatever is being said outside of my team in the world I do not care.

"We have our work cut out but I am not going to change what is written in the press, so I have to accept it or ignore it.

"It is not just typical of the French media, it happens in many countries.

"It is life, it is not abnormal or exceptional."

Centre-back William Gallas is expected to start against Mexico after returning to training after sitting out previous sessions with a calf problem.

Mexico captain Gerardo Torrado is relishing the chance to face France.

Both sides go into their second game in Group A with one point apiece after draws in their opening encounters.

France hosted the World Cup in 1998 and beat Brazil in the final while four years ago, they finished runners-up to Italy.

"Everyone wants to play this game," said Torrado. "We have to enjoy it and overcome this challenge.

"In a World Cup there are no easy games, the pressure is never going to be low but it's not a big problem.

"The pressure there is we have to manage it as best as we can."

In the last four World Cups, the Mexicans have progressed from the group stage and after their 1-1 draw with South Africa in their opener this time, Torrado has no doubt in his mind his team can advance.

"This team knows how to deal and manage pressure," he said. "Now we are working towards an intense game.

"Mexico will come out with determination and character to take a result in this game."

Mexico, who are coached by Javier Aguirre, end their group stage against Uruguay on June 22 in Rustenburg.