Anelka – We will play to win against Ireland – but it won't be easy!

The Chelsea and France striker Nicolas Anelka has never appeared at a World Cup Final, despite his illustrious career, and now he is just one game away from his dream, has called on his French team-mates to stay united to finish the job in Paris tonight.

Anelka said: “We need to stay together, be strong and united to get the result because it will still be a very difficult game.

“It has been a difficult campaign but we are all pulling together, working hard to qualify and reach the World Cup finals.

“We will play to win on Wednesday because that’s the only way we can play freely, and we also want to give the fans something good at Stade de France.

“Of course it’s good to score away from home, it’s a play-off so it’s very important.

“The win in Ireland was satisfying because we wanted to show that we could get a good result. But we shouldn’t get carried away, anything can happen.”

Anelka can probably count this as the most important of his international career so far, as this will certainly be his last chance to appear at the prestigious competition in the world.

Good luck Nicolas!