Diaby and Diarra in France squad

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech has sprung a surprise in naming Arsenal’s Abou Diaby and Chelsea’s Lassana Diarra in his squad for the double-header against Lithuania and Austria later this month.

Juventus front man David Trezeguet is dropped while there is no place for injured stars Thierry Henry (stomach and groin), Franck Ribery (foot), Louis Saha (leg) and captain Patrick Vieira (thigh).

However, Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka has been selected alongside former Liverpool man Djibril Cisse.

Versatile Arsenal defender William Gallas returns, and there are also recalls for Lyon forwards Sylvain Wiltord and Karim Benzema, who return after long-term thigh injuries.

Les Bleus play Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Kaunas on March 24 and Austria in a friendly four days later.

France squad (v. Lithuania and Austria):

Coupet (Lyon), Landreau (Paris St Germain); Abidal (Lyon), Escude (Sevilla), Mexes (Roma), Squillaci, Clerc (both Lyon), Gallas (Arsenal), Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Thuram (Barcelona); Diaby (Arsenal), Makelele (Chelsea), Nasri (Marseille), Diarra (Chelsea), Mavuba (Bordeaux), Toulalan (Lyon); Anelka (Bolton), Cisse (Marseille), Malouda, Benzema, Govou, S Wiltord (all Lyon), Piquionne (Monaco).