Arsenal star Gallas ready to pounce on any slip

The defiant France defender will come off the treatment table to face the Faroe Islands tomorrow determined to help banish the memory of last month's critical 1-0 Paris defeat to Scotland.

And, while Scotland remain in the driving seat with just three games to play, Gallas insists any slip against Ukraine will spell disaster.

Gallas said: "We're still as solid as we were last year. Nothing has changed my point of view. The defeat last month against Scotland was a bad one and, even now, I find it hard to explain what happened to us on the night.

"We can't afford to look back on that game and dwell on it. If you want to progress in football, you have to look forward. 'The most important thing for France is the future.

"We have to get six points from our next two games and then go to Ukraine and win. I'm still confident we'll go to Euro 2008 and believe we will be there. 'A lot depends on us but also on Scotland.

"If we can get the results we need we will be there, but perhaps Scotland can help us. If they slip up, then we can take advantage. I hope they drop points but I also hope Italy drop points.

"But we have no margin for error when we go to the Faroe Islands. The conditions aren't great over there. There is very little sunshine and a lot of wind but it's a crucial qualifying match and every time I put on the France strip I wear it with pride."

Doubts linger over the Arsenal man's long-term fitness, given the fact that his last outing was a 24-minute run-out against Blackburn in August.

But he insisted: "I am ready. I have been training all week and physically I feel fine. I will be ready on Saturday if the manager wants me. He will decide whether or not to pick me but in my head I'm already on the park.

"I want to play, I want to do everything I can to help us win the game and get back on the road to qualification."

Meanwhile, France captain Lilian Thuram confesses that Scotland's win still haunts him.

Thuram said: "I said after the game that the result was catastrophic and I haven't changed my opinion. When you have the chance at home to take a very big step towards qualification, you have to take it.

"When you miss several chances to win, then it hurts mentally and physically. 'That defeat has left its mark on our team, that's for sure. We can't afford to lose another single point but now we are focused and will do our job."