Patrick Vieira believes he still has plenty to offer France and has no intention of quitting the international scene.

The 32-year-old was part of Raymond Domenech's 23-man squad for Euro 2008 in spite of an injury which forced him to sit out all of Les Bleus' games in the tournament, and he is again set to miss the opening fixtures in World Cup qualifying on September 6 and 10 due to injury.

With Vieira unavailable, and with Claude Makelele having announced his international retirement, Domenech will have no choice but to field a new-look midfield for the games against Austria and Serbia.

But Vieira insists that, however well the newcomers do, he will be ready to fight for his place when the next qualifying matches come around in October.

"In France I get the impression that once a player reaches 30 we put them out to pasture, so to speak," he told L'Equipe.

"I know I'm capable of playing at a high level for more years. I know I can do it and I will.

"If I take all the chances that come my way I know I'll have no problem getting back my level and getting back into the France side. I'm motivated and determined.

"I know how determined I am to still play at the top level. I also know what I have to do to get there. The only way is to work. I'm not a shirker, I'm a worker.

"Although I don't want to do too much too soon, in the back of my mind I'm thinking about the France-Romania game (October 11)."

The absence of Vieira and Makelele, plus the injured Franck Ribery, has sparked a debate in France as to who should occupy Les Bleus' midfield.

Lyon's Jeremy Toulalan and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra appear to be the favourites among the press to fill the void, with Alou Diarra and Flamini again missing out.

As for Ribery's replacement, the unanimous choice is Arsenal's new signing Samir Nasri, who says he is ready to step up to the challenge after briefly replacing the French playmaker in the decisive defeat to Italy at Euro 2008.

"After Euro 2008 certain players retired while others are injured. Now it's really up to us, the young players, to show what we can do," he told a press conference.

"I hope to bring something to the France team.

"Playing for Arsenal shows my development among the creme de la creme of European football, now I need to do that with France."

As well as changes on the pitch, Saturday's game with Austria will feature some changes on the bench too.

The 1998 World Cup winner Alain Boghossian takes up his place next to Domenech in his first official game as assistant coach, reportedly charged with the role of intermediary between the senior players and the younger generation.

"I'm joining Les Bleus not to make a name for myself nor to play the clown. I'm here to bring my tactical and technical knowledge," he explained in France Football.

"My experience as a player in Italy bodes well in my favour. It's also true I'm quite an enthusiastic guy, and I'm going to try to bring my joie de vivre to the team.

"I have a great desire to bring everything to this France side."