Abidal back for first time since French World Cup fiasco

Wed, Nov 10 10 07:37 PM

Barcelona full back Eric Abidal was named in France's squad on Wednesday for the first time since their World Cup fiasco, for next week's friendly against England at Wembley.

New coach Laurent Blanc has overlooked the defender since taking charge of his first match in August.

France were knocked out in the first round of the World Cup in South Africa in June when the players also went on strike to support Nicolas Anelka after the striker was kicked out of the squad for insulting then-coach Raymond Domenech.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille)

Defenders: Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Adil Rami (Lille), Mamadou Sakho (Paris St Germain), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona)

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Yohan Cabaye (Lille), Yoann Gourcuff (Olympique Lyon), Yann Mvila (Stade Rennes), Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (Lorient), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris St Germain), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Loic Remy (Olympique Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Dimitri Payet (St Etienne)

Source: Published>