The France World Cup squad resumed training in Kynsna on Monday, according to an AFP photographer, a day after they went on strike over the expulsion of forward Nicolas Anelka.

The 21-man squad jogged round the pitch while embattled coach Raymond Domenech chatted with his coaching staff.

On Sunday, amid dramatic scenes, the squad had refused to go through with a public training session and forced Domenech to read out a statement by them.

In it they registered their disapproval of Anelka being sent home after his foul mouthed outburst at the coach at half-time of Thursday's match with Mexico had been made public in L'Equipe newspaper.

Their refusal to train led to the French Football Federation (FFF) liaison officer Jean-Louis Valentin resigning on the spot in disgust and he is returning to France on Tuesday.

Anelka himself landed in London earlier on Monday.

French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot is to hold crisis talks with the players and coach Domenech on Monday night, delaying her departure from South Africa on direction of by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"She is going to meet tonight with (French football federation president) Jean-Pierre Escalettes, Raymond Domenech, (the captain) Patrice Evra and probably the players", said a member of her entourage.

With only one point from their two matches so far, the team faces the prospect of a first-round exit unless they can beat hosts South Africa at a match in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night and other results work in their favour.

Bachelot will attend the match.

"Instead of going home tonight (Monday), we are going to be on hand at the France South Africa game following a request from the president," said the source.

After Anelka's outburst became public on Saturday, Bachelot had issued an appeal for players to behave with "dignity".

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