Pires desperate for France recall

Outcast midfielder Robert Pires is so desperate for a France recall he is even prepared to endure a stint on the bench for Les Bleus.

The 32-year-old Arsenal star has been frozen out of the international set-up for more than a year since speaking out against coach Raymond Domenech’s tactics in October 2004. Pires has since missed out on six World Cup qualifiers as well as six friendly matches.