France international Florent Pietrus is ready to become an example to his younger team-mates ahead of September's European Championship qualifiers.

France face Belgium in two preparation matches this weekend and the 22-year-old  former Pau Orthez forward, who joined Spanish side Malaga last month, is happy to take on a leading role in Claude Bergeaud's team.

"I don't feel I am an old and experienced player but I am more like a guy who wants to do well for his country," Pietrus said.

"I am very happy to play for France, otherwise I would not have come.

"It is an honour to wear the French shirt and if I could do it until I am 40, I certainly would."

France are looking to bounce back from their disappointing Euro 2003 performance which saw them finish fourth and miss out on a ticket to the Athens Olympics.

Before starting their qualifiers, Bergeaud's troops will play nine preparation matches in August.
However, preparations have been disrupted by the withdrawals of (Florent's brother) Mickael Pietrus (shoulder) and Antoine Rigaudeau (Achilles).

		Antoine Rigaudeau

On top of the injury concerns Bergeaud has also had to deal with a number of players preferring to dedicate their summer to their clubs rather than France.

These includes San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker, new Malaga recruit Cyril Julian, Real Madrid's Moustapha Sonko and Paccelis Morlende of Benetton Treviso.

"The group has been rejuvenated with a lot of players who will make their debut," Pietrus added in L'Equipe.

"This is not very easy for them, especially because the qualification matches in September will be tough.

"The coach counts on me and other players (Laurent Foirest, Alain Digbeu, Frederic Fauthoux) to help them. We will have to be an example for them."

But Pietrus is also relying on Bergeaud's ability to boost his players to help them book their Euro 2005 qualification.

"Nothing changes with Claude," said Pietrus of his former coach at Pau-Orthez.

"He is still the same, the collective spirit and motivation are his main motives.

"For him there is not one player who does the job. We all think the same thing.

"Now we are going to have to wait for the big event (the qualifiers) to see how things go.

"We will not be ready against the Belgians this weekend but the objective is to re-find some reflexes.

"The team is back on track and the players who are here really deserve it."

France open their Euro 2005 qualifying campaign on September 8 against Slovenia before further matches against Czech Republic and Poland.