France call for Chimbonda

Pascal Chimbonda and Franck Ribery have been handed places in the France squad.

The full back has had a superb season at The JJB Stadium, but it was not felt that he had done enough to impress France coach Domenech.

However, Domenech has clearly had his eyes trained on the North West of England as Chimbonda has been included alongside the likes of Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane.

Fabien Barthez has been handed the number one jersey ahead of Gregory Coupet, meaning he will in all probability take the field in the opening game.

"It's now confirmed that Barthez will be number one, Coupet number two and Landreau (three)," said Domenech.

Marseille sensation Franck Ribery has been included in the party, as has Manchester United's Louis Saha, but there is no place for either Nicolas Anelka or Robert Pires.

Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong has kept his place despite a shaky spell on Tyneside, but his former Auxerre team-mate Philippe Mexes has missed out.

"It was a hard task to come up with that list, It did not happen with a magic wand," said Domenech.

"It involved a lot of sleepless nights and since I have been appointed it has been my number one concern.

"This list might not please anyone but I made it because of a few elements - firstly talent, second their experience in big competitions like the World Cup, thirdly their fitness and fourth their ability to get on together and finally their personality.

"They have to renounce personal pride and put themselves at the team's disposal.

"I am convinced those 23 men can lead the French team to the final."

Squad:

Keepers: Fabien Barthez (Marseille), Gregory Coupet (Lyon), Mickael Landreau (FC Nantes)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Lyon), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle United), Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan), William Gallas (Chelsea), Gael Givet (Monaco), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Mikael Silvestre (Manchester United), Lilian Thuram (Juventus)

Midfielders Vikash Dhorasoo, (Paris Saint Germain), Alou Diarra (Lens), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Florent Malouda (Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Juventus), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)

Strikers: Djibril Cisse (Liverpool), Thierry Henry, (Arsenal) Franck Ribery, (Marseille), Louis Saha (Manchester United), David Trezeguet (Juventus), Sylvain Wiltord (Lyon)