Thierry Henry and Emmanual Petit have both withdrawn from France's controversial friendly with Australia this Sunday and will return to their clubs. Arsenal striker Henry, the club's top scorer, will miss the 46-hour round trip after reporting for an examination by the French Football Federation with a badly swollen ankle, while Chelsea midfielder Petit also returns to London nursing an ankle injury.
Henry damaged his ankle in Sunday's shock 4-2 defeat by Charlton and manager Arsene Wenger confirmed he expected the striker to be sent back to London after visiting the France team doctor. Speaking yesterday, Wenger admitted: " Henry's ankle is really big and he doesn't look fit to play at the moment. My opinion is that he should be sent back to us."
The Gunners will still lose Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires to the trip, while former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka has been called up to replace Henry.
Filed by Shane Murray
