Poulter missed last week's BMW International Open in Munich

Ian Poulter will play in this week's French Open despite the wrist injury which forced him out of the US Open.

Poulter still had his wrist bandaged on Wednesday but he is keen to improve his current Ryder Cup standing of 25th.

"I am going to play what I need to. If I win this week it will help, but the Ryder Cup is months ahead," he said.

"The wrist is fine for now. I played 18 holes the other day, the first time since the US Open, and shot a couple under which was nice."

The 32-year-old Englishman is part of a strong field chasing the �522,000 first prize and 38 world ranking points on offer at Le Golf National in Paris.

The event will also be a battle for the Order of Merit lead with current top four - Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson - all playing.

Sixth-placed Martin Kaymer, winner of the BMW title in Munich on Sunday, could leap-frog all of them if he wins again.

There are also two places in The Open up for grabs in a mini-money list which has been running for a month.

Australian Scott Strange, winner of the Wales Open, and Chile's Felipe Aguilar, runner-up in the Irish Open, are currently in position to take them.

But Irish duo Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley could avoid next Monday's 36-hole qualifier at Sunningdale with a top three finish on Sunday.

Westwood is aiming to continue the form that saw him narrowly miss out on a US Open play-off at Torrey Pines by just a single shot.

That performance saw many people tip him to shine at next month's Open at Royal Birkdale, especially with Tiger Woods out of contention after knee surgery.

But Westwood, 35, said: "I went to the US Open without any expectations and I think that's the way I need to approach (these tournaments).

"I had hardly hit any balls going into it and I wasn't feeling great. I came very close and didn't feel that I lost it - I think Tiger and Rocco (Mediate) played very well to finish one ahead of me.

"My all-round game from tee to green pleased me most. I actually didn't have a great putting week, but if I can get that right then I'll have an even better chance."