PARIS. July 7 (AFP): The quiet, gangly 13-year-old who trotted unnoticed into Monaco's training ground never dreamed that by the time he reached the end of his teens he would be the hottest property in French football.

But for Thierry Henry a league championship medal at 19 was only the start, with the World Cup finals on home ground just 12 months away.

The 20-year-old resolved to be there, and a superb second season with the Monegasques under the guidance of Jean Tigana meant national coach Aime Jacquet just couldn't ignore his claim to a squad place.

France, blessed by a wonderfully talented midfield and about the meanest defence in world football, have been searching high and low — with minimal success — for a prolific

striker to fire their World Cup campaign.

But a groundswell of fan opinion had already propelled Henry to within spitting distance of the front of the queue before decidedly non-prolific first choice Christophe Dugarry injured a hamstring ana replacement Stephane Guivarc'h suffered damaged knee ligaments.

Fate had given Henry his chance and he grasped it with both hands, scoring twice against Saudi Arabia after slipping in a last-minute effort in France’s opening group win over South Africa.

Jacquet has been at pains not to over use Henry, particularly since he picked up an ankle strain a week ago. And Henry says he's happy to go along with that.

"Even after my goals in the

earlier matches I don't start against Denmark, but it didn't bother me — I was able to recover my strength after the previous matches." he explained.

But when called upon he has displayed the striker's knack of being in the right place at the right time — just as he did in poaching seven goals in Mana-co's run to the European Cup quarter-finals last season.

Henry's development largely mirrors that of clubmate David Trezeguet. just two months younger and who also starred in the European Cup campaign with a brilliant goal which knocked out Manchester United.

Jacquet now has to decide on his strategy to see off Croatia as France target their first final after semifinal defeats in 1958. 1982 and 1986.

Dugarry is fit again and Guivarc'h has worked hard throughout.

But Henry can point to his record and also remind Jacquet that he only played the latter stages of the goalless encounter against Italy, against whom he had Just 25 minutes to make an impression.

On recent evidence, speedy Henry is the best bet to break

down the Croatians as Guivarc'h is without a goal In ten outings and Dugarry has scored Just three in 26 games. Henry has three in eight.

Despite his fine showings, the Monaco star, coveted by Real Madrid and also several Italian clubs, remains engagingly modest when so many his age are tempted to let fame go to their head.

"I don't have a divine right to a place in the line-up. I am part of a 22-man squad and that's the way it should be. At my age. you give without counting the cost."

In France's march to the semifinals, Henry has so far given as much, if not more, than anvlwlv