PARIS — France's World Cup ambitions were dealt a significant blow when winger Franck Ribery failed to overcome a back injury and was ruled out of the squad Friday. Coach Didier Deschamps hoped Ribery would play a part in the friendly against Jamaica Sunday, but the Bayern Munich winger was replaced by Montpellier winger Remy Cabella. Cabella was on the reserve list and has made just one substitute appearance for France. In another setback for Deschamps, attacking midfielder Clement Grenier was also withdrawn with a recurrence of a groin injury that has hampered him all season for Lyon. “We have to remain ambitious,” Deschamps said. “Obviously with Ribery at 100 percent we're a better team, but we'll try and be a good team without him.” The 23-year-old Grenier tore his right groin in training Thursday and has been replaced by Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, who has never played for France. “I'm very sad for them,” Deschamps said. “I wasn't expecting this. If they were here it's because I was counting on them, and the signs were very positive.” Deschamps said both players were distraught when they realized they will not be on the plane to Brazil. “How do you think (they felt)? They're missing out on the World Cup,” Deschamps said. “Of course there are worse things in life, but they are the first to be affected by it.” The 31-year-old Ribery missed the previous two friendlies — a 4-0 win against Norway and a 1-1 draw against Paraguay Sunday — but Deschamps was optimistic he would recover in time to play against Jamaica. Ribery had shown “positive signs of improvement” this week after increasing “the intensity of his work,” Deschamps said. But that was when Ribery was training alone, and when he stepped up his routine in a bid to be ready to join in with his teammates, he suddenly pulled up in pain Friday.— AP
