Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to hold an hour-long meeting with France striker Thierry Henry on Thursday following the country's disastrous World Cup, according to French radio station RMC.

Henry, who played a bit-part role in the campaign which ended on Tuesday in a first-round exit after a 2-1 defeat by South Africa, is to fly back on his own in a private jet later on Wednesday.

"Thierry Henry is leaving South Africa around midday by private jet," RMC reported on Wednesday.

"He will spend the night in Paris before tomorrow morning (Thursday) meeting with the President of the Republic."

The president's office refused to either confirm or deny the story.

Henry, who was the last remaining member of the 1998 World Cup winning squad to play in this tournament's squad, will then go on holiday and finalise his transfer to Major Soccer League franchise New York Red Bulls, according to RMC.

The other members of the France squad - minus Nicolas Anelka who was expelled and sent home in disgrace on Sunday for a foul-mouthed outburst at coach Raymond Domenech - will fly back on Wednesday.

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