A broken finger forced the 24-year-old to miss the recent world championships in Japan, but Parker expects to be fully fit for the 2006-07 season which starts on October 31.

"I don't feel any more pain," Parker told reporters in Lyon, where the Spurs start their pre-season training camp with a game against a local team on Thursday before facing Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv in Paris three days later.

"My bone is straight now and that is what matters. I don't have problems shooting, dribbling or receiving balls. Everything is alright," Parker added.

"He will play both matches," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

"He has worked hard with the national team this summer and now after a few training session, he has already improved a lot. He is ready to go for it."

The arrival of Parker's Spurs is making the headlines in his native country, but the Texans have only one thing on their minds as they look ahead to the new campaign: reclaiming the NBA title that was won by the Miami Heat.

"We only have this in mind," said Parker, who averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game last season.

DEFENCE

However, the All Star said he could not put his patriotic feelings aside when playing in his home country.

"I'm playing in fornt of a French crowd, my family and friends, which is rare. I have to enjoy this," he added.

Parker, who has appeared in more playoff games before his 24th birthday than any player in NBA history, believes the Spurs will be stronger than ever when the new season tips off.

"I think our team will be stronger than last year, at least to get back to the NBA finals," said the Frenchman, who is still bitter after the Spurs lost 4-3 to the Dallas Mavericks in the West Conference semi-finals.

"Then we will have to work hard to prove that."

Looking to strengthen their roster, the Spurs have recruited Dutch center Francisco Elson from the Denver Nuggets to take the starting place vacated by Nazr Mohammed, who joined the Detroit Pistons in July.

"He (Elson) is a versatile player," Popovich said.

"He runs very well, moves his feet right in defense and he is able to go to the basket."

"The Phoenix Suns and the Mavericks force us into playing faster," Parker added. "So we have to play faster."