Makelele could face two-match ban

France coach Raymond Domenech insists that Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele will run the risk of a two-game club ban if he does not link up with the international squad for their forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The 33-year-old midfielder has been included in Domenech's squad for the qualifiers against Georgia and Italy next month - despite announcing the end of his international career for the second time after the World Cup final defeat by Italy in the summer.

Domenech declared: "We had a discussion (with Makelele) but I didn't ask for his opinion. For me it would be unthinkable to see a great player playing for a great club not playing for his national team. A player who refuses to accept a selection is liable to a two-match suspension."

He added: "I had a discussion with Mourinho as I often do with the coaches of our international players but it was not a matter of reaching an agreement over Makelele.

"I told him where I stood, he told me where he stood. We still have the law for us. I spoke a lot with Claude and told him that he was not obliged to come and play with us, but also that it would be better if he did feel obliged to."

Mourinho, preparing his side for a difficult game against Blackburn at the weekend, now insists it will not be a drama if they fail to land England left-back Ashley Cole from Arsenal. The form of Wayne Bridge has helped Mourinho to issue his latest piece of public brinkmanship in the long running saga over Cole's future.

Arsenal have also made a bid for Chelsea's unsettled central defender William Gallas who is currently out of favour with Mourinho failing to appear for their pre-season training camp in America. But they are unwilling to match his £70,000-a-week salary.

But the Frenchman only has to apologise to the Portuguese coach to return to the fold and Mourinho, after seeing his side lose to Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, is already planning for a season without Cole.

New capture Khalid Boulahrouz could give Mourinho cover for a revitalised Bridge and if Gallas makes his peace with the Chelsea chief then the failure to land Cole will be of little consequence.

Mourinho says: "I have Bridge, who is playing very well. I don't have another pure left-back but there are some solutions in the squad to give us cover for that position. I don't know what the situation is but if, on the 31st of August, we cannot get Cole then it is not a drama."