Toulalan glee at France call

Jeremy Toulalan has expressed his delight at being called up to the France squad.

The 22-year-old, regarded as one of the brightest prospects in French football, has been brought in to Raymond Domenech's squad as a late replacement for the injured William Gallas.

"It is a big and beautiful surprise," he beamed. "It makes me immensely happy.

"I am very pleased to meet up with a lot of very talented players. I also know Domenech, as he was my coach for a year and a half and Under-21 level."

Toulalan faces stiff competition for the role of defensive midfielder, with Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele guaranteed places and Rio Mavuba and Alou Diarra also in the frame.