France gets its World Cup hopes raised

PARIS, Sept 29 (AFP) – France coach Raymond Domenech on Thursday gave the country a boost with the news that Zinedine Zidane is selected for the potentially decisive World Cup qualifier against Switzerland on October 8.

Zidane picked up a hamstring injury in their 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin three weeks ago and has since been out of action for his club side Real Madrid.

Domenech has also recalled Juventus striker David Trezeguet for the Swiss encounter, which will be followed by a match against group strugglers Cyprus four days later (October 12).

Trezeguet returns to the fray following a two-match suspension picked up against group rivals Israel in the spring.

Arsenal’s Thierry Henry however is still out of action. Henry, who scored the winning goal in Dublin, is suffering from a groin strain and is scheduled to return mid-October.

Zidane’s decision to come back from international retirement has coincided with a turn around in Les Bleus qualifying hopes.

Switzerland tops group four on the same number of points (16) as second-placed France. Israel sits third on 15, having played a game more, while Ireland are fourth on 13.

Domenech named a 21-man squad for France’s two remaining World Cup group four qualifiers, against Switzerland on October 8 and Cyprus four days later:

Goalkeepers: Gregory Coupet (Lyon), Mickael Landreau (Nantes)

Defenders: Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle/ENG), William Gallas (Chelsea/ENG), Gael Givet (Monaco), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich/GER), Sebastien Squillaci (Monaco), Lilian Thuram (Juventus/ITA)

Midfielders: Vikash Dhorasoo (Paris St Germain), Alou Diarra (Lens), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Florent Malouda (Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Juventus/ITA), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid/ESP)

Forwards: Djibril Cisse (Liverpool/ENG), Ludovic Giuly (Barcelona/ESP), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Peguy Luyindula (Auxerre), David Trezeguet (Juventus/ITA), Sylvain Wiltord (Lyon)

Subject: French news