Hamelin (Germany): Patrick Vieira turns 30 when France play Togo in their final Group G match on Friday and wants some Thierry Henry goals as a present.
"A player like Thierry Henry is capable of making a difference by scoring at any time and I believe he can win it for us," Vieira, who played alongside Henry at Arsenal before moving to Juventus, told reporters on Wednesday.
"The fact that we played together for a long time means I know where to find him on the pitch," Vieira added.
"I have to concentrate on that because that can make us win the match." France, who started with draws against Switzerland and South Korea, need to beat Togo by two clear goals in Cologne to make sure of advancing to the knockout stages.
"So far we've been playing with the handbrake on," Vieira said of France's sluggish start.
"We have a defence we can rely on which is a solid basis but maybe we've been playing too defensively.
Now we must race the ball forward a little bit more and make sure we put Thierry Henry in a position to score."
France's most prolific striker with 34 goals, Henry has scored their only one at this World Cup, in Sunday's 1-1 draw with South Korea.
The 28-year-old, however, has not looked the player he is for Arsenal and France need more from him to avoid another early exit after leaving the 2002 finals without a win or a goal.
Henry should receive some help on Friday with coach Raymond Domenech expected to pair him with Juventus marksman David Trezeguet up front.
The two are among the world's most lethal strikers at club level but, surprisingly enough, rarely start together for France.
"It doesn't make much difference for Thierry whether he's alone up front or playing with David or somebody else," Vieira said.
"He can score in both systems." Vieira will not alone in celebrating his birthday on Friday since captain Zinedine Zidane turns 34 on the same day.
Zidane, who retires after the finals, is suspended for the final group game after being shown his second yellow card of the tournament in Sunday's match against South Korea, which will have been his last if France fail to qualify.
Vieira, however, said he was confident the ageing midfield maestro would soon be back in action.
"A good win against Togo could be the sparkle we need," said Vieira, who should take over the captain's armband on Friday.
"If we go through, and I believe we will, I'm convinced we will then surprise many people."
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