**France are likely to be without midfield star Franck Ribery for their two World Cup play-off matches against the Republic of Ireland.**The Bayern Munich player is expected to be sidelined for four weeks as he recovers from a knee injury.
The tendon problem in Ribery’s right knee flared up again in Bayern Munich’s 3 October draw with Cologne.
His absence would be encouraging news for Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic side ahead of the 14 and 18 November games.