Thierry Henry could be out for six weeks
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-12 20:38

Thierry Henry could be sidelined for six weeks with a groin injury _ missing France's final two World Cup qualifiers, the Associated Press reported.

Henry, who missed Arsenal's 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough on Saturday, was hurt while playing for France in Wednesday's 1-0 World Cup qualifier over Ireland in Dublin. Henry scored the winning goal in that game.

"I was told to take total rest and that could be for a month," Henry said in an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe. "I have been suffering with pain in my left groin for some while and I need to rest. I knew my body wasn't right and I do not want to copy what I did last year when I played on with an injury."

Henry said he will miss Arsenal's Champions League opener against Thun on Wednesday.

"It is, I think, the first time I have not played a Champions League match in three years," he said. "It's not easy to accept."

Henry said he hoped to be back in mid-October, but wasn't sure if he would play in France's qualifiers against Switzerland on October 8 and Cyprus four days later.

"Frankly, I don't know," he said. "At this time, with the information I have, I can't play for the French team."

France is level with Group 4 leader Switzerland on points.

Arsenal is nine points behind league leader Chelsea after just five games.