Domenech handed debuts to midfielders Lassana Diarra and Abou Diaby - of Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively - in the 1-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win over Lithuania in Kaunas on Saturday.

He is set to continue that theme when Austria visit the Stade de France, with Samir Nasri, Karim Benzema and Frederic Piquionne all waiting in the wings to make their international bows.

The selection of Nasri and Benzema, both aged 19, would be a change from the norm.

For in the last 20 years, only two players - Emmanuel Petit and Nicolas Anelka - have played for Les Bleus while under the age of 20.

Playmaker Nasri, in particular, deserves his chance after excelling for Marseille this season, especially since the winter break.

Lyon's Benzema, and Monaco's Piquionne, are set to be given their opportunity to impress in the absence of a host of strikers such as injured duo Thierry Henry and Louis Saha, and the dropped David Trezeguet.

"I am preparing for the 2010 World Cup," said Domenech.

"They are not here because they are young. They are here because they have the talent."

Diarra, who is far from a regular at Chelsea, made the most of his chance against Lithuania, looking very comfortable in a midfield triumvirate which also comprised Claude Makelele and Jeremy Toulalan.

Diaby came on as a late substitute but is expected to be given more time against Austria.

Makelele, 34, could be rested while Domenech is under pressure to limit the amount of playing time given to Lyon's sizeable contingent of squad members.

Les Gones take on Bordeaux in the Coupe de la Ligue final on Saturday, and with nine players on international duty with France, coach Gerard Houllier will have his fingers crossed they emerge unscathed.

Domenech insists the national team should come first, saying: "There is France on one hand, and the final of the Coupe de la Ligue on the other.

"We are trying to find an equilibrium, but the priority for me remains the France team."

Nicolas Anelka, fresh from his match-winning heroics against the Lithuanians, is sure to start, and looks to have regained the favour of Domenech.

"He is performing and responding to our wishes," said the Les Bleus coach.

"I hope he will continue to do that for a long time. I am happy for him."

As co-hosts of the Euro 2008 championships, Austria will be without a competitive match for another year and a half.

So games like Wednesday's are vital to the rebuilding work being carried out by Josef Hickersberger, coach since last year.

Their latest result, a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Saturday, stretched their unbeaten run to five games.

But included in those matches was a 1-1 draw against Malta last month and a narrow 2-1 win over Liechtenstein in October.

Hickersberger knows he still has a lot of work to do if the team are to become a competitive force for next year.