News & Neuigkeiten » activating Watkins within the next tw

PARIS -- Despite helping France reach the European Championship final, striker Olivier Giroud finds himself once again fighting for his place in the national side.His position has come under serious threat from Kevin Gameiro, and coach Didier Deschamps must choose between them to play alongside Antoine Griezmann in Fridays World Cup qualifier against Sweden.Gameiro appears to be the favorite to start, but Girouds physicality and heading ability could prove useful against a robust Sweden side level with France in Group A.Olivier and Kevin have different styles. Olivier is more of a link player, Kevin is more about speed and making runs, Deschamps said. Both are very effective. I can use one at the start and one can come on during the match, depending on the opposition.Giroud scored three goals at Euro 2016, forging a decent partnership with Griezmann, the competitions top scorer with six. But he has lost his place in the Arsenal side to Chile striker Alexis Sanchez, while Gameiro is thriving at club level alongside Griezmann at Atletico Madrid.Although Giroud started Frances first match in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, he missed two clear chances in a 0-0 draw at Belarus.Gameiro replaced him in a 4-1 win at home against Bulgaria and a 1-0 win at the Netherlands. He scored twice against Bulgaria, with his second goal set up by Griezmann. Their partnership is progressing well at Atletico, where they have 13 goals between them this season.However, Giroud also has found some form recently for Arsenal.He came off the bench to score twice in quick succession in a 4-1 win at Sunderland and followed that up with a goal in the Champions League. But he was back on the bench again for the match against Tottenham last weekend, with Sanchez starting.Hes not at 100 percent, he knows it and I know it, Deschamps said Thursday. But I know what Olivier can do, and Kevin, too. All of this plays a part in my thinking.It is a familiar situation for Giroud.With France, he was often second choice behind Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, and before facing competition from Sanchez at Arsenal, he was battling Theo Walcott for the center forwards jersey.Thats the story of my career: Ive always had to fight to keep my place, Giroud said in a recent interview with sports daily LEquipe. But I have experience and good matches that speak in my favor.The 30-year-old Giroud has 21 goals in 57 games for France, while the 29-year-old Gameiro has a more modest three in 11. But because Gameiro is playing regularly with Griezmann in a dangerous-looking partnership, Giroud fears that gives his teammate the edge.I would be lying if I said the opposite, Giroud said. But thats not everything. I also showed that I could play well alongside Antoine at the Euro.The muscular striker set up Griezmann for the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Ireland that sent France through to the quarterfinals at Euro 2016, showing great awareness to cushion a header perfectly into this path for the nippy forward to run onto.The international careers of Giroud and Gameiro appear somewhat fused.Girouds first appearance for France saw him come on as a substitute, replacing Gameiro in a 1-0 win against the United States five years ago.It inadvertently became a transitional moment, with Gameiro drifting out of the France team for five years until his recent return.Im happy for Kevin, because he bust a gut to get back, Giroud said. But that doesnt mean you have to start to question everything that went before. Ive scored 11 goals in my last 15 games with the national team.Sean Doolittle Jersey . 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The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A dislocated left thumb isnt expected to prevent LeSean McCoy from missing a game.A person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Monday that the Buffalo Bills running back is expected to play against Jacksonville this weekend after having surgery for the injury.The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because Bills coach Rex Ryan declined to provide a definitive answer regarding McCoys playing status a day after the player was hurt in the first half of a 16-12 win at Cincinnati .Ryan confirmed McCoy had surgery after the team returned home on Sunday night, but wouldnt commit to whether he might play against the Jaguars.I guess well see how he progresses through the week, Ryan said.The best answer Ryan gave came when he compared McCoys chances of playing to that of receiver Robert Woods, who sprained his left knee against the Bengals.In already listing Woods as doubtful, Ryan acknowledged he was more encouraged about McCoys status.Thats potentially good news for an offense thats had trouble staying healthy for much of this season. The Bills are already missing their top receiving threat, Sammy Watkins (left foot) and starting center Eric Wood (broken right leg).McCoy was hurt when he fell on his left hand while being pushed out of bounds following an 8-yard run late in the second quarter. He immediately grabbed his hand and ran off to the locker room before being ruled out.He leads Buffalo with 716 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, including one scored against the Bengals, and also has 144 yards receiving and a touchdown.McCoy played a key role for a Tyrod Taylor-led offense that leads the NFL with 1,578 yards rushing.Buffalo has topped 160 yards rushing in each of its past three games and six times this season, including a 312-yard outing in a 45--16 win over San Francisco on Oct.dddddddddddd 16.In beating the Bengals, the Bills (5-5) snapped a three-game skid to remain in the playoff picture.Because of tiebreaking scenarios and a 2-4 conference record, Buffalo has little margin for error in a bid to end the NFLs longest active postseason drought, which is at 16 years.Woods, who leads the team with 42 catches and 493 yards, was hurt in the first quarter when his cleat got stuck in the turf and his left leg bended awkwardly while being tackled after making a 13-yard catch.Ryan had no update on whether Watkins will be cleared for practice this week. Watkins was placed on injured reserve in September and has missed eight games since aggravating an injury to his surgically repaired left foot.Under NFL rules, the Bills have the option of activating Watkins within the next two weeks.I really dont know how realistic it is, Ryan said when asked about Watkins. I think I speak on behalf of every Buffalo Bill fan, we all are hoping he can play some. But well see how it goes.If Watkins and Woods cant play, the Bills will be down to their backup receivers, led by outside speedster Marquise Goodwin, as well as tight end Charles Clay.Game notesRyan said safety Robert Blanton is still having tests on a foot he injured against the Bengals, and called it doubtful hell play against Jacksonville. ... By outscoring the Bengals 6-0 in the second half, the Bills overcame a halftime deficit for the first time since a 14-13 win at Tennessee on Oct. 11, 2015. Buffalo trailed the Titans 3-0 at the half. ... The Bills are off Tuesday before returning to practice on Wednesday.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '