French fear Frei

France have singled out striker Alexander Frei as the main threat in their 2006 World Cup qualifier against Switzerland in Paris on Saturday.

Les Bleus have conceded only two goals from their last seven outings but they know Frei's skills are not to be taken lightly in a match they badly need to win.

"He is the same kind of player as (David) Trezeguet," said goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. "One chance is more than enough for him to score.

"He gives you the feeling that he always knows where the net is. He doesn't need to ask himself 20 questions. I can tell you this from my own experience."

The 25-year-old Stade Rennes player is the leading scorer of the French Ligue 1 thanks to 14 goals from 30 outings ahead of Portugal international Pedro Pauleta and Mickael Pagis from Racing Strasbourg.

Frei has scored 16 times in 31 international appearances which makes him the most efficient goal maker of his sqaud ahead of Hakan Yakin.

"You know that you better have to clear the ball swiftly when he (Frei) is hanging out in the penalty box," said defender Gael Givet.

"He is an outstanding striker and you can't afford to give him any room. He is a match winner. You can see it on every weekend."

Frei was absent through suspension from France's 3-1 defeat of Switzerland in a group match at the 2004 European championship. The striker was provisionally suspended for 15 days by UEFA after television footage showed he spat at an England player.

The disciplinary committee of the European soccer governing body eventually handed him a suspension for three international outings in July.

His absence weighed heavily in the issue of the match against France as the then European champions had to rely on two second-half goals by Thierry Henry to seal the win.

The French may have another reason to get concerned as Monaco's Sebastien Squillaci who is usually paired with his club mate Gael Givet is absent because of an injury.

Newcastle's Jean-Alain Boumsong should start in the central defence along Givet but they only have played together for only one halftime.

"I'm more used to play with Sebastien (Squillaci). We are very close together both on and off the pitch. But I'm sure it's going to be okay with Boumsong," Givet said.