Midfielder Claude Makelele will only play for France against Switzerland on Wednesday if coach Jacques Santini comes to an agreement with Real Madrid's sporting director Jorge Valdano that morning.

Makelele, who is involved in a pay dispute with the Spanish champions and refused to train with the club last week, trained with the national squad on Monday and Tuesday and was discussing his situation with Santini in a meeting on Tuesday night.

If Makelele asks to play against Switzerland in the Stade de Geneve, Santini hinted that the midfielder would be involved if possible, although he added he would not ignore the wishes of Madrid should Valdano ask for him to play no part in the game.

"He's back in training with us and he is enjoying it," said Santini. "He is training with the team at the stadium this evening and he may well play a part in the game.

"I will do all I can to reconcile the different needs of the club and the national squad so I will speak with Claude this evening and Jorge Valdano in the morning before making a decision.

TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE

"In the Confederations Cup tournament we showed that we are trustworthy people. There we left both Makelele and Zinedine Zidane out due to their involvement with Madrid."

Santini has called up midfielder Ousmane Dabo from Italian club Atalanta as cover ahead of his talks with Makelele and Valdano.

Makelele, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, is understood by French media to be seeking to improve his wages up to six or eight-fold which he says would reflect his true worth to the club.

He is paid far less than any of the so-called 'galacticos', the expensively-assembled array of foreign names at the club, including French international Zinedine Zidane, Portugal's Luis Figo, Brazil's Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos and England captain David Beckham.

France team mate Robert Pires is in no doubt about Makelele's worth to the international team, and believes he would be a big success in England.

"We will all support him because we know what it is like for him now and we all advise him to join Chelsea in England," said the Arsenal midfielder. "It will be a good move for him. We all recommend it.

"Chelsea have been shopping heavily this summer and they have a great squad. If Claude joins them it will be even better. Not bad at all! Actually, it will be something else.

"He is a very important player for any team and Madrid will miss him very much. But players have to make decisions in their careers sometimes and this is one for him now."

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