France boss Laurent Blanc admits Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa remains in his plans.
AWOL midfielder's club situation won't prevent France involvement
France boss Laurent Blanc admits Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa remains in his plans despite his lack of action at club level.
The 23-year-old has yet to play this season after refusing to turn out for the French Champions while he aims to force a move away from the club.
Premier League side Newcastle are believed to be interested in his signature but Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen are also in the hunt.
France kick-start their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Belarus and Bosnia-Herzegovina next month but Blanc sees Ben Arfa as a key player, regardless of his club exile.
"Not selectable? Says who? Ben Arfa has been pre-selected for the matches in September. He is a good lad," Blanc said after being questioned on his selection.
The meeting with Belarus will be the first competitive fixture for the national side since the French Football Federation imposed bans on four players for their part in a training ground boycott during this summer's World Cup.
Nicolas Anelka was suspended for 18 games, Patrice Evra for five, Franck Ribery for three and Jeremy Toulalan for one. Eric Abidal escaped a ban despite being involved.
The boycott was in protest to Anelka's expulsion after he was sent home for insulting then-boss Raymond Domenech during the half-time interval of France's 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
Blanc, however, has risked the wrath of the FFF by questioning their punishment, just one month into his new role.
"I am a little in doubt as to the nature of the punishments - one player gets a five-match (ban), another player three, another one one match and another zero," blasted Blanc.
On the subject of Anelka, he added: "I would like someone to explain to me why 18 matches, and why not 19 or 20 - it needs explaining.
"It's obviously not an ideal situation for French football, which will need all its top players when the qualifying games for Euro 2012 begin."
