Cisse recalled as Les Bleus bid to halt Spain’s conquistadors

FOUR months after Thierry Henry’s ‘Hand of Gaul’ ended Ireland’s World Cup dreams, France return to international action against Spain tonight (8pm) with a recall for another enfant terrible.

Coach Raymond Domenech has a number of injuries to contend with, with William Gallas, Eric Abidal, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Karim Benzema and Sebastien Squillaci all out, while Everton striker Louis Saha was forced to pull out with ankle and hamstring problems. Now in-form striker Djibril Cisse of Panathinaikos has been drafted in to win his first cap since May 2008.

Cisse, formerly of Liverpool and Sunderland, has been in outstanding form in Greece, scoring 25 goals this season. “I’m going to push myself to the limits,” said Cisse.