France Squad for Irish Playoff Test Has No Room for Vieira

France coach Raymond Domenech yesterday named his squad for the decisive play-off matches against Republic of Ireland in just over one week’s time.

Aside from Franck Ribéry’s absence through injury, the biggest talking point was Domenech's decision not to select Patrick Vieira, who despite his return to first team action at Inter Milan has still yet to be called up by France this season.

Elsewhere, Lyon left-back Aly Cissokho receives his first call-up in place of the injured Gael Clichy. The Arsenal full-back has been ruled out for around a month with a back injury so Cissokho will provide back-up for Patrice Evra at left-back.

The national call-up represents quite an achievement for the ex-Porto man who transferred to Lyon in the summer and was playing in the French second division for Gueugnon just two years ago. Cissokho remains eligible for Senegal as well until he makes his official debut for France.

Yoann Gourcuff returns to the squad after injury kept him out last time but there is no room for Lyon forward Bafétimbi Gomis.

Domenech has named a larger than usual 24-man squad, justifying this stance by stating that there are always last minute worries over players’ fitness; none more so than over Karim Benzema and Lassana Diarra.

The Real Madrid pair will join up late with the squad only three days before the first leg as they are needed for the second leg of Real’s Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday as they seek to overturn the embarrassing four goal deficit from the first leg.

Patrick Vieira responded to Domenech’s decision to leave him out of the squad for the crucial play-offs in L’Equipe this morning stating, “I know that in my position there isn’t anyone better than me in France at the moment. This might sound pretentious but I’m sure of it.”

The Inter Milan midfielder, however, refuses to call time on his International career: “I’m focused on the objective of playing at the next World Cup. What’s certain is that I will do everything to be there.”

France will wear a new shirt for the first time in the first leg in Dublin. The shirt features red and white bands across the body echoing the historic shirts of 1984 and 1998.

The previous shirt only lasted 13 months after being introduced after Euro 2008, far from the usual two year cycle which might not sit too well with the already far from happy French fans.

24-man France Squad for World Cup Qualifying Play-offs versus Republic of Ireland

Goalkeepers:  Carrasso (Bordeaux), Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders:  Abidal (Barcelona), Cissokho (Lyon), Escudé (Seville), Evra (Manchester United), Fanni (Rennes), Gallas (Arsenal), Sagna (Arsenal), Squillaci (Seville)

Midfielders:  Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Malouda (Chelsea), Sissoko (Toulouse), Toulalan (Lyon)

Forwards:  Anelka (Chelsea), Benzema (Real Madrid), Gignac (Toulouse), Govou (Lyon), Henry (Barcelona), Rémy (Nice)