FRA – Knee op means no Mickael Pietrus for Les Bleus

PARIS (EuroBasket 2011) – France will be without Mickael Pietrus at EuroBasket when they attempt to qualify for the London Games after the Phoenix Suns swingman opted to undergo surgery on his right knee.

On Thursday, the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) ruled Pietrus out on medical grounds and it later came to light that the player took the staff's advice of going under the knife to clear debris in the knee he injured back in March.

The 29-year-old will need a month to recover from the procedure.

All of the players in the French preliminary squad have been given medical examinations at the national sport institute (INSEP) in Paris this week, including Pietrus who has been hindered by a wrist injury in the past.

The FFBB said: “Following several medical examinations carried out at the beginning of preparations and after consulting the medical staff of Team France, Mickael Pietrus will not play at EuroBasket 2011 for medical reasons.

“However, he remains available to the France team for future campaigns.

“The coaching staff has decided not to replace him in the group.”

Pietrus hasn’t featured for the national team since the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

France will play in Group C – arguably the toughest of all the pools at the EuroBasket – with Israel, Latvia, Serbia, Germany and Italy.

The coaching staff has decided not to call in a replacement for the preparations.

FIBA