CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) -France defender William Gallas has pulled out of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Romania with a small tear to his right thigh.
Coach Raymond Domenech had already called up defender Jean-Alain Boumsong on Wednesday night as cover for the Arsenal captain.
Lyon defender Boumsong is expected to challenge Sevilla's Sebastien Squillaci for a starting spot in the center of France's defense in Constanta in the Group 7 match.
France is already without injured midfielder Lassana Diarra and has fitness doubts over striker Nicolas Anelka, who is nursing a sore thigh he picked up while playing for Chelsea in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Domenech also called up uncapped Rennes striker Jimmy Briand on Wednesday.
