Sagnol backs Henry to silence critics and prove he's still one of the best

Former Arsenal captain Henry has endured a tough first season at Barcelona, where he has mostly operated on the left wing.

Henry has also had his fair share of niggling injuries and he missed France's opening game of the Euros - a 0-0 draw with Romania - with a thigh strain.

Still to shine: Henry is hoping to come good at Euro 2008

But the 30-year-old is fit to start for Les Bleus against Holland in tonight's crucial Group C match, and Sagnol believes his long-time national-team colleague will produce the goods once again.

"He has had a hard season for Barca, but we all know Thierry Henry is the best French goalscorer ever," said the Bayern Munich right-back.

"He is still very important to us and even if in Barcelona he had a hard time, he is very motivated.

"I am sure he will want to show not just the French but also the Spanish people that he is still one of the best players in the world."

Like Henry, France captain Patrick Vieira, who has also been struggling with a thigh problem recently, played 45 minutes against a local Swiss youth team on Wednesday and proved he is ready to return to Raymond Domenech's starting line-up.

While France's confidence may not exactly be sky high after their listless draw against Romania, the Holland camp could not be more positive.

The 3-0 victory over world champions Italy in their opening game proved they will be genuine pretenders to Greece's throne.

But coach Marco van Basten is not going overboard as his side go in search of a victory against France that would clinch a place in the last eight with a game to spare.

"We have only played one game and to keep up that level will not be easy," said van Basten.

"We will see if we can play like last Monday again but this next game is also very difficult.

"We can't play the whole tournament on the back of just one game. We have to keep our feet on the ground, and start all over again."

Van Basten confirmed former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben is available for selection after recovering from a groin injury.

But the Real Madrid flyer is not assured of a place in the starting team given Holland's spectacular win over the Italians, and Van Basten may go with an unchanged XI.