Anelka earns France recall after three-year absence

FORMER Arsenal and Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka has earned a surprise recall to the France squad for the forthcoming friendlies with Costa Rica and Germany.

The 26-year-old has not played for Les Bleus since refusing a call-up for a friendly against Yugoslavia in 2002.

National coach Raymond Domenech said: “Anelka is just one player selected for the matches against Costa Rica and Germany. His game is fast, he has plenty of pace and I am interested in those qualities.”