© Reuters 2002

PARIS, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Juventus defender Lilian Thuram is impatient to be get back into action for France against Romania next week in the first of only four games left before France defend their title in the World Cup in Korea and Japan.

"I must admit I'm impatient to be back with Les Bleus next Monday," Thuram said on his website. "It's always a great pleasure to be together, to play together."

"It's been months since we last gathered and this encounter will mark the real start for our World Cup campaign, four months before the great trip to Asia," he added.

"There are only four games left for us to prepare for the title defence. It's short. But fortunately, we know each other pretty well," the former Parma and Monaco player added.

Thuram will not be short of games in February. Juventus face AC Milan and Roma this week.

Next week after the Romania match, Juve play Fiorentina before the Champions League resumes with a very tricky game against Deportivo Coruna.

"It's a tight schedule in February," Thuram said.