Yoann Gourcuff has been ruled out of France's World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Austria.
Bordeaux star injured but Rennes keeper Douchez gets first call-up
Bordeaux midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has been ruled out of France's World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Austria.
The 23-year-old was forced off at half-time of Bordeaux's UEFA Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday night with a thigh injury and has been omitted from Les Bleus' 24-man squad.
Coach Raymond Domenech has handed a debut call-up to Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez, though.
The 29-year-old is one of four goalkeepers in the squad, which features Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko for a second time.
But there is no place for Nice forward Loic Remy, who made his international debut against Nigeria in June, due to his club's poor recent run.
Vieira remains out
Former captain Patrick Vieira was also left out due to a lack of match fitness.
The 33-year-old Inter Milan midfielder has not played for Les Bleus since last year, having been plagued by injuries.
"I talked to him over the phone and we agreed that he must play more (for Inter), he knows that," said Domenech of Vieira.
The France boss named four keepers as Lyon's Hugo Lloris is suspended for the game against the Faroe Islands in Guingamp on 10th October after being sent off in last month's 1-1 draw with Serbia.
Les Bleus host Austria at Saint-Denis four days later, although the qualification picture could already be confirmed.
Serbia are set to the clinch automatic spot in next year's World Cup as they are four points clear at the top of Group 7 with two games left.
And second-placed France are poised for a play-off as they are four points ahead of Austria.
France squad:
Carrasso (Bordeaux), Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille), Douchez (Rennes); Abidal (Barcelona), Clichy (Arsenal), Escude (Sevilla), Evra (Manchester United), Fanni (Rennes), Gallas (Arsenal), Sagna (Arsenal), Squillaci (Sevilla); Diaby (Arsenal), A Diarra (Bordeaux), L Diarra (Real Madrid), Malouda (Chelsea), Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sissoko (Toulouse), Toulalan (Lyon); Anelka (Chelsea), Benzema (Real Madrid), Gignac (Toulouse), Govou (Lyon), Henry (Barcelona).
