Defender Mexes out for France v Greece friendly

PARIS, Nov 15 (Reuters) Central defender Philippe Mexes added to France's casualty list when he pulled out of a friendly international against Greece today.

The AS Roma sweeper is nursing a thigh injury and trained for only 20 minutes with the French squad yesterday afternoon.

The French team doctor ruled him out for the game against the European champions and Mexes is due to return to his club later in the day, the French football federation said.

Mexes, who will be replaced by Lyon central defender Sebastien Squillaci, is the fourth player to pull out due to injury.

On Monday, Olympique Lyon strikers Karim Benzema and Sidney Govou withdrew after they got injured during a Ligue 1 match against Valenciennes last week.

Coach Raymond Domenech announced yesterday that Olympique Marseille winger Franck Ribery may be sidelined until the winter break because of a painful groin.

REUTERS SAM PM1815