PARIS (AFP) — France coach Raymond Domenech named a 24-man squad for the friendly against Morocco on November 16 and the Euro 2008 clash against Ukraine on November 21.
The main absence from the squad is Juventus striker David Trezeguet, who last played for Les Bleus in their shock 1-0 defeat to Scotland in a recent qualifier for the Euro 2008.
'Trezegol', whose relationship with Domenech has been shaky to say the least, was then left out of the squad that went on to beat the Faroe Islands and Lithuania.
Despite Trezeguet scoring his second hat-trick of the season with Juventus last week, Domenech seems unimpressed - and has once again given Trezeguet the cold shoulder by including Lyon's Hatem Ben Arfa in his squad.
Ben Arfa scored his first Champions League goals on Wednesday, the youngster claiming a brace in the 4-2 defeat of Stuttgart.
Domenech said the door was not completely closed on Trezeguet ahead of next year's championships in Austria and Switzerland, but that the striker faced stiff competition.
"David is having a great start to the season with Juventus, but he's in competition for a place. If we qualify, the Euro 2008 will be in eight months. A lot of things can happen in between," said Domenech.
The France coach appeared to give Trezeguet the recipe for working his way back into the team, for which he has been less effective in attack than for his club.
"I hope David will help Juventus win the (Italian league) title and that he will be at the Euro 2008 with us, and that he will find his form again for France."
Domenech meanwhile said captain Patrick Vieira would be visiting the squad to give moral support ahead of the potentially decisive Ukraine match despite being sidelined with an injury.
"A player of Patrick's dimension is going to be missed, but we just have to accept it and get on with it. Pat should be coming to see us because he's a leader, and he's the captain," added Domenech.
Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka and Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan have been included in the squad despite nursing injuries.
Domenech said Anelka is expected to play for his Premier League side on Sunday while Toulalan will resume training in the coming week.
France will qualify for the Euro 2008 if Italy beat Scotland at Hampden on November 17. If Scotland and Italy draw, France need at least a draw against UKraine on November to book their ticket.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Paris St Germain), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina/ITA), Ulrich Rame (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona/ESP), Sebastien Squillaci (Lyon), Francois Clerc (Lyon)
Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea/ENG), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal/ENG), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Jerome Rothen (Paris St Germain), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Samir Nasri (Marseille)
Strikers: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton/ENG), Hatem Ben Arfa (Lyon), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona/ESP), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER)
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