Diaby has not trained since Monday due to an ankle problem and coach Laurent Blanc is not optimistic about his chances of making this weekend's encounter, although he could be back for Tuesday's Group D game against Luxembourg.

"Abou Diaby has not trained since Monday," Blanc said. "The state of his ankle is reassuring, but the exams a little less so.

"We will make a final decision tonight or tomorrow [regarding Tuesday], but for Saturday, it [recovery time needed] will be too short."

The news appears better for fellow midfielder Alou Diarra, though.

The Bordeaux man had to leave training early yesterday with a twisted ankle but Blanc is not too worried.

"With Alou Diarra, I am reassured," he said. "There is nothing alarming. He will be available on Saturday."

Anthony Reveillere is expected to feature at right-back due to Bacary Sagna's injury.

Les Bleus head into the match third in the pool having lost their opening qualifier 1-0 at home to Belarus last month before recovering to win 2-0 in Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later.

Samir Nasri is back in contention after missing last month's double-header following knee surgery, and Blanc does not seem averse to the prospect of fielding the Arsenal playmaker alongside Lyon's Yoann Gourcuff despite many believing they cannot play together.

"My main aim is to develop the players and to find our best formation," said the former France centre-back.

"If I judge that these two players deserve to be a part of that then they will play. If I feel there should only be one or neither then I will do that too."

Romania coach Razvan Lucescu, whose side collected draws against Albania and Belarus last month, has recalled Lazio defender Stefan Radu, FC Timisoara midfielder Ianis Zicu and Steaua Bucharest's Iulian Apostol for the clash.

The other two Group D games this weekend take place tomorrow, with early leaders Albania facing Bosnia-Herzegovina in Tirana and Luxembourg tackling second-placed Belarus.

Albania have made a fine start to the qualifying campaign, following up their 1-1 draw in Romania with a 1-0 home win over Luxembourg last month.

However, they will be without coach Josep Kuze tomorrow after the Croatian suffered a stroke last week.

Belarus, who trail Albania only on goal difference after adding a 0-0 draw against Romania to their three-point haul against France, will be without Vitali Kutuzov due to tendinitis for their trip to the Stade Josy Barthel.