Van Nistelrooy to face Arsenal

Ruud van Nistelrooy looks certain to be fit to play Arsenal in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.

The Manchester United striker dropped out of last night's goalless draw between Holland and France in Rotterdam because a small amount of fluid had failed to disperse from his knee.

Although he was not in pain, Van Nistelrooy decided not to take any risks with United in pursuit of the one major trophy they can win this season following their demise in the Premiership and exit from the Champions League.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry came through his second-half run-out in a lifeless game spoiled, like so many of England's friendly internationals, by mass substitutions.

"No problem with my fitness, no injuries or anything like that," said Henry. "It is hard when you come into a game like that when there are so many changes."

But Henry could find himself on the bench again on Saturday as Arsene Wenger attempts to find a way to use his squad to the full ahead of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea next Tuesday following the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, deputising for rested captain Oliver Kahn, made several fine saves as Germany boosted their morale in the build-up to Euro 2004 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Belgium.

Lehmann was out to prove a point after fierce rival Kahn said before the match that he has no plans to retire and wants to continue as the German goalkeeper until after the 2010 World Cup when he will be 40.