The 25-year-old prop, who is one of those likely to make France's 2007 World Cup squad, was called up to play for Les Bleus during the Tests against Romania at the start of June.

During the team meeting in Marcoussis, he was diagnosed with a throat infection for which he received three injections, allowing him to play in France's thrashing of Romania.

On returning to Castres following France's victory over South Africa, Attoub complained about his back for which he received further treatment.

But his medical condition worsened at the start of July and examinations revealed he had caught a bacterial infection known as staphylococcus aureus.

My spine was full of germs, explained Attoub, who has been hospitalised since July 20, to L'Equipe.

But I don't know who gave it to me, the most important thing is to regain my health and then to be able to play rugby again.

I am sure I will be back, an experience like this one can only make you stronger.

Controversy rages though between Castres and the French team as the club side's president Pierre-Yves Revol has questioned how the player was looked after while on national team duty.

It is obviously difficult to determine the origins of the germ, Revol said.

But we have the right to think that the infection comes from various medical acts that were carried out by the French team's medical staff during the summer Test matches in Romania and South Africa.

Les Bleus' doctor Thierry Hermerel insisted he has done his job properly.

During the tour and before the match against Romania, Attoub received three intra-muscular injections, explained Hermerel.

He then underwent an x-ray the day after our arrival in South Africa and had an appointment with a specialised doctor, but neither revealed anything serious.

What we are awaiting now is for David to get back on track as fast as possible.

France will gather again this autumn for Tests against Argentina and New Zealand.