Karim Benzema has admitted that he is encouraged by the number of players England have missing ahead of France's Euro 2012 opener against Roy Hodgson's team.
England trio Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill will miss the tournament due to injury and Hodgson will also not have Wayne Rooney available for selection for the first two matches due to suspension.
Benzema believes that the loss of Rooney is the main reason that France have the advantage next Monday.
The Real Madrid striker said: "The injuries will affect England. They have absences from every department on the pitch and it is very negative just days before the opening game.
"Rooney is the reference for England, without him they will have to make more changes with players and the way they play.
"They will also have to make changes in defence and that may allow us to get opportunities on goal."
Laurent Blanc's team have not been beaten in their last 21 matches.
