Eric Abidal eyes Central role

Eric Abidal eyes Central role

Eric Abidal is lobbying for a place in the centre of France's defence against Romania on Saturday with Patrice Evra back in contention for selection.

The two left-backs have long competed for one slot in Raymond Domenech's team, but Abidal is gradually winning the confidence of his coach as a central defender and has now claimed it is his preferred position.

"I prefer to play in the centre," the Barcelona man told L'Equipe. "It is my desire. Now the coach must make his decision. If I play on the left that is my position, but if it is in the centre, that is what I prefer."

Abidal added that he is comfortable playing alongside William Gallas, likely the other half of any central defensive partnership.

"We know how to divide the tasks," he said.

However, Domenech has been pairing Gallas with Julian Escude in training this week, so Abidal may still have work to do to convince his coach.

If Abidal does move to the centre, that would suit Evra perfectly.

The Manchester United defender has suffered frustration in the past as he moved in and out of the national team, but he now feels as though he is establishing himself.

"I feel like I've found the stability and regularity that I have at my club," he said. "I'm on the right track. But in the France team, it can change overnight."

Evra has attributed the change to his performances with United, which he believes have convinced Domenech of his worth.

"When the coach trusts you, you relax a little more," he said. "The more you play, the more confident you are, the more your team-mates trust you and know that your presence is important."

Saturday's meeting with Romania is the first of two critical games for France as they bid to find a route to the top of Group Seven.

They sit five points behind Serbia with a game in hand, and face the group leaders on Wednesday in Belgrade.

But thoughts of that game must wait until Sunday.

On paper, Romania do not appear to be the toughest opponents. Out of contention for qualification, they are now also shorn of star striker Adrian Mutu, but they won last time out away to Lithuania, while France must get over a widely criticised performance as they beat the Faroe Islands 1-0.

France may be without Franck Ribery, who is short of match fitness and is likely to be saved for Serbia, while Lyon's Hugo Lloris has been pencilled in to start in goal, but must first overcome a calf injury suffered in a training ground collision with Abou Diaby.