Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has spoken of his fears at missing out on another World Cup as France prepare for a momentous play-off against Ireland. The prolific Premier League marksman has been in fine form again this season for the current English top flight leaders but has by an extraordinary quirk of fate missed out on the 1998, 2002 and 2006 finals, despite being a regular on the international scene.
"Maybe it's written in the stars that I won't be at the World Cup finals," Anelka stated yesterday.
"It will be a crazy atmosphere (on Saturday), a real battle for us.
"We know we have to stop them at set-pieces."