Nicolas Anelka’s hopes of winning a recall to the French team for the World Cup appear all but over after the striker was today left out of Roger Lemerre’s squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against Scotland.

On-loan Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka has been left out of Roger Lemerre’s France squad to face Romania next week.

France coach Roger Lemerre has ignored the requests of both FIFA and Europe’s top clubs by naming a strong squad for next month’s friendly with Australia in Melbourne.