France have unveiled their squad that will host the Socceroos in next weekend’s international, with coach Didier Deschamps naming 23-players for the match.
France have unveiled their squad that will host the Socceroos in next weekend-s international, with coach Didier Deschamps naming 23-players for the match in Paris.
Deschamps has recalled Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, Liverpool-s Mamadou Sakho and Newcastle United striker Loic Remy, which will also play Finland in their final World Cup qualifier four days later.
Defender Varane, was included despite only making his comeback from a knee injury in Real Madrid-s 4-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen mid-week.
"Varane was with us for two games in March. He had an injury that prevented him from taking part in our tour of South America in June but he has now been training fully for three weeks and returned to competition yesterday (Wednesday)," said Deschamps.
"He has not played much but his past performances with us made me think that the logical thing was for him to come back into the squad. I consider Raphael to be an important member of the France team."
The 20-year-old will be joined by a couple of English Premier League faces in Mamadou Sakho and Loic Remy. The pair also earned recalls following some strong performances for their respective clubs in the opening to the new campaign.
Sakho moved to Liverpool from Paris St Germain in the off-season in search of more first team opportunities. Meanwhile Remy, who has notched three goals in his last two league starts, is one of four Magpies included in the squad.
Les Bleus play Australia at the Parc des Princes in Paris on October 11 before hosting Finland at the Stade de France on October 15 in their final game in World Cup qualifying Group I. Currently trailing World Cup holders Spain in their group, Deschamps' side are already resigned to taking part in a two-legged play-off in November that will decide whether they go to Brazil.
France squad to play Socceroos:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Monaco), Gael Clichy (Manchester City/ENG), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United/ENG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna (both Arsenal/ENG), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool/ENG), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid/ESP)
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United/ENG), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Samir Nasri (Manchester City/ENG), Paul Pogba (Juventus/ITA), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United/ENG)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ENG), Dimitri Payet (Marseille), Loic Remy (Newcastle United/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)