Abou Diaby looks set to sit out France’s World Cup qualification match with Belarus tomorrow evening with Didier Deschamps worried about using the midfielder twice in four days.

The 26-year-old scored the only goal of the game against Finland on Friday night as he made his long-awaited return to action for Les Bleus.

However, despite earning plaudits for his match-winning performance it appears a combination of fatigue, a slight knock and a minor muscle problem will see him earn a well-deserved breather before Saturday’s Emirates showdown with Southampton.

Speaking to Eurosport Deschamps revealed: “I have a problem with Gael Clichy and Abou Diaby who’ll both struggle to make the game. He took a knock and has some muscular discomfort. Today, he’s not training.”

It remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger treats the player with the same kid glove hands on his return to London, although it is believed the boss asked Deschamps to take it easy on Diaby after he exertions for the Gunners.

In other news Olivier Giroud is fit to play for France after missing out the other night, while Theo is skipping England’s game with Ukraine with an acute case of the sniffles.

Cheers to @grooverblog for the heads up and @SiuFay for the link.