The Bolton striker, who is back in Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech's favour after a spell in the international wilderness, could be drafted in, with a number of fellow forwards unavailable for the Group B match.

Thierry Henry and Louis Saha are injured, while David Trezeguet did not even make it into Domenech's 23-man squad for this match and the friendly against Austria next Wednesday.

Anelka came on as a late substitute in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Argentina last month, but his national-team appearances have been few and far between over the past few years.

He is back in the spotlight following his move to the Trotters from Turkish club Fenerbahce, and he has caught the eye of Domenech.

France could start with Anelka on his own up front - a role he is used to playing at Bolton - although Domenech could opt to partner him with one of uncapped duo Karim Benzema or Frederic Piquionne.

In central midfield, Lyon's Jeremy Toulalan is set to start in the absence of injured captain Patrick Vieira, while highly-rated Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri is pushing for inclusion.

Les Bleus will have a solid look to them at the back, with William Gallas and Lilian Thuram - Les Bleus' centre-halves in their run to the World Cup final last year - back together.

France are joint top of the pool with Scotland, with both teams on nine points after four games.

Their only slip-up so far in qualification came against the Scots in their last away game, a 1-0 defeat at Hampden Park.

And Florent Malouda insists his team-mates are not underestimating Lithuania, who grabbed a 1-1 draw with world champions Italy earlier in the campaign.

"We are all conscious that a result over there will perhaps make the difference in qualifying," said the Lyon left-winger.

"We have seen Lithuania's result in Italy. It was an eye-opener, so we must forget the status of the two teams.

"But a draw would be a failure. We must not lose any more points on the way."

Lithuania are fifth in the group after their opening four games, and it already looks unlikely they will compete in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

But coach Algimantas Liubinskas insists he will not just send his troops out simply to stymie the French.

"Our tactics are not going to be defensive, no way," he said.

"We will naturally have to defend, but we will try to set up counter-attacks when France allow us to.

"This is a one-off match - anything could happen."

Hearts striker Edgaras Jankauskas has a groin injury and is a major doubt.