Zidane hints at return for French in Dublin decider

Given the date Raymond Domenech did not celebrate immediately but, once he had been assured it was true, the French coach professed delight yesterday at the news that the Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane was pondering a return to international football.

Given the date Raymond Domenech did not celebrate immediately but, once he had been assured it was true, the French coach professed delight yesterday at the news that the Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane was pondering a return to international football.

After less than a year in the role Domenech is under pressure as France struggle to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. "The door is wide open," he said. "Zizou is still one of the best players in the world and if he says he is eligible, I will call him with great joy."

Whether he will accept Zidane's terms, though, is debatable, for the player hinted that he wished to return for just one game, the 7 September fixture in Dublin.

"I've already said the French team was the most beautiful thing that happened to me," Zidane said. "It would be nice for me to come back, but I do not want to talk about it. The biggest risk [in the qualifying campaign] is the game in Dublin against Ireland. That is the only one, I'm sure of it.

"You know it will not happen, but to come back and play in Dublin in front of a 50,000 crowd, win and then leave, I would like it. Yes, I would like it."

The French Football Federation said it had contacted the L'Equipe, the French newspaper which carried the story, and was assured the interview was genuine.