Nasri pulls out of US, Belgium friendlies

Samir Nasri has pulled out of friendlies against the United States and Belgium amid injury concerns within the French squad.

Clairefontaine (France): France midfielder Samir Nasri has pulled out of friendlies against the United States and Belgium amid injury concerns within the squad, the French federation (FFF) said on Tuesday.

The FFF said on its website that Manchester City`s Nasri was suffering from a knee injury that ruled him out of Friday`s game against the US and Tuesday`s match against Belgium, both being played at the Stade de France. Nasri, however, was not coach Laurent Blanc`s only concern. "We still have some little problems," he told reporters at France`s training camp in the outskirts of Paris on Tuesday. "(The knee injury) is a tricky one that he picked up while playing at Arsenal," Blanc said hours before Nasri pulled out. Newcastle United holding midfielder Yohan Cabaye and Olympique Marseille forward Loic Remy have groin problems, while Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has a thigh injury. "We`ll assess the situation tonight or tomorrow morning and we will then see if we need to reinforce the squad," said Blanc, who confirmed Eric Abidal would join the squad only on Thursday after reaching an agreement with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. Under the terms of the agreement, defender Abidal will sit on the bench for Barca`s King`s Cup match on Wednesday before joining the French squad. "But he won`t play France v USA," said Blanc. France continue their preparations for Euro 2012 with a friendly against Germany in Bremen in February. Bureau Report