France boss Laurent Blanc believes midfielder duo Samir Nasri and Yoann Gourcuff can play alongside each other, despite claims they are too similar.

Blanc recalled the pair to his squad for the upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against Romania and Luxembourg and has hinted he intends to start them both. There is a feeling in France, however, that the players' similarities make them an incompatible mix in the midfield.

And while Blanc admits he is still searching for his best line-up after losing two of his first three games in charge, he claims the Nasri-Gourcuff combination can work.

"My main focus is to develop the players and then to find our best formation," Blanc said. "If I judge that these two players deserve to be a part of that then they will play. If I feel that there should only be one or neither then I will do that too."

If I judge that these two players deserve to be a part of that then they will play. If I feel that there should only be one or neither then I will do that too.
Laurent Blanc, France coach

Blanc is without winger Franck Ribery due to injury, meaning Gourcuff and Nasri are likely to play alongside Florent Malouda as part of a three-man attacking midfield behind a striker.

Blanc hinted he could move Nasri out to the right wing with Gourcuff playing a central role. That would allow Malouda, who has scored six goals in as many starts for Chelsea this season, to take up his preferred position on the left flank. If that is the case Nasri believes he can combine effectively with Gourcuff, saying he had done so with similar-style players at club level.

"At Marseille and with Arsenal I have done the same with Ribery and (Cesc) Fabregas," he said. "When you play alongside players who are technically-minded like you then there are always going to be similarities. I also played alongside Yoann in a match against Switzerland. It went very well."

France will play Romania in Paris on Saturday before hosting Luxembourg in Metz four days later.