The former Arsenal midfielder, who recently completed a move to AC Milan, has been called up to train with France's 23-man squad and will come in as a replacement should Vieira be forced out of the tournament with a left thigh injury.

While the 24-year-old insists he is ready to do a job for Les Bleus, he still hopes to see Vieira recover and lead Raymond Domenech's side in Austria and Switzerland.

"I hope that Patrick Vieira recovers and is ready for Euro 2008," he told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"He's an important player for the team, I hope he'll be able to play these European Championships.

On his own fitness he added: "Honestly I would take the call up with great pleasure, I feel ready and available for the France team.

"I feel that I'm fresh in the France squad. I'm happy because I've had a long season and I've just signed for Milan.

"I'm ready. It'll eat into my holidays a bit, but that's all."

Flamini also revealed that he was not overly heartbroken when he was originally told that he would not be travelling with the 23-man squad.

He said: "Personally it wasn't all drama for me in Tignes (where France held their pre-Euro 2008 training camp).

"Everyone was sad but I said 'hey lads, you know, that happens, there were 30 of us and a choice had to be made'. We're just players and we have to respects the coaches' decisions.

"In Tignes I was just as ready to stay as to go. I took the coach's decision well.

"It meant I had the chance to go on holiday after a long season and catch my breath before joining up with Milan.

"Now I'm here and I'm laid back about the whole thing."

According to Flamini "a decision should be made on June 7 or 8".

However, reports in Le Parisien on Thursday disagree. The capital-based newspaper claims Vieira is set to remain with the squad even if he is not fit to face Romania in France's opening game on June 9 in the hope that he will be available to play against Holland four days later.