Henry says England-France match will show 'we remain strong and united'

France legend Thierry Henry believes going ahead with Tuesday's friendly meeting between England and his homeland is a show of "solidarity" in the wake of the atrocities in Paris on Friday.

Henry was born in the French capital, while his brother works at a train station in the city and his parents still remain in a Parisian suburb, so he was frantically contacting family and friends to learn of their well-being after the attacks.

"There was an overwhelming sense of relief when I was told that all my people were safe - but it didn't lessen the impact of the sadness I was feeling," Henry said in the column for The Sun.

"I spoke to people who were out in Paris on Friday and they told me of the chaos of the night, of people running and screaming.

"I have been to the Bataclan venue many times and, like all Parisians, I know the area where the attacks took place very well."

The former Arsenal forward has talked to numerous members of the national side after what he describes as "an attack on the whole world," and while he doesn't know how the tie at Wembley Stadium was sanctioned to go ahead, he supports what will be a defiant message in the face of terrorism.

"That solidarity will be on show for everyone to see (on Tuesday) evening," he said.

"We can offer up our prayers for strength and safety and show the world how we are all in this together."