Cisse back for France

Djibril Cisse returned to the France squad today after being named in Raymond Domenech’s party for the international friendly against Hungary on May 31.

Cisse, who is expected to play a part for Liverpool in tomorrow night’s Champions League final against AC Milan, has not played for Les Bleus since October 2004 after breaking his leg in a Barclays Premiership clash with Blackburn at Ewood Park.

He takes the place of Arsenal’s Thierry Henry, who is nursing an Achilles injury.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is another absentee as he continues to serve a six-month ban for spitting at a referee during a friendly between Marseille and Wydad Casablanca in February.

Mickael Landreau is his replacement while Jerome Rothen also returns from injury.

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has been left out as he is getting married in June while the international career of his Gunners team-mate Robert Pires appears to be over.

Pires has not played for France since last October when he lined up against Cyprus and has subsequently had a much-publicised row with Domenech over team selection.

The 18-man party is also without Manchester United defender Mickael Silvestre and Juventus striker David Trezeguet although it is believed they are being rested after gruelling domestic seasons.

Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle), William Gallas (Chelsea), are also in the squad, alongside Lyon’s former Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord.