France defender William Gallas proved his fitness for the World Cup finals with Les Bleus’ 63^rd-minute equaliser in Sunday’s warm-up match in Tunisia.

His header from Yoann Gourcuff’s placed-ball only salvaged a 1-1 draw against the Tunisians, after they had fallen behind as early as the sixth minute.

 

But it assuaged coach Raymond Domenech’s worries over the final place in France’s 23-man squad.

The under-fire Domenech had taken 24 players to France’s pre-tournament training camp in the Alpine resort of Tignes.

But while Gallas came through his injury problems, Domenech’s selection problems were solved in an unfortunate manner by the withdrawal of Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra, who was suffering the effects of a blood cell disorder.

He said of the remaining squad members: “This group keep showing us that we can trust them. Those 23 players will take us all the way.”

Domenech, whose every decision comes under ultra-critical scrutiny back in France, named Barcelona star Thierry Henry as a substitute for the second consecutive match, as Les Bleus lined-up in the Tunisian city of Rades.

Left-back Patrice Evra, of EPL giants Manchester United, has taken over the captain’s armband in the 32-year-old Henry’s absence from the starting line-up.