Cheyrou nets France call-up

Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou has been handed a debut call-up to the France squad to face Spain on March 3.

The 28-year-old had never been included in the senior international set up but is now in line to win his first full cap following some impressive performances this season.

Raymond Domenech has also named Bordeaux midfielder Mickael Ciani for the first time in his 24-man squad.

There is still no place for former captain Patrick Vieira, who moved to Manchester City in January in a bid to force his way back into the reckoning for this summer’s World Cup.

Everton striker Louis Saha has been rewarded for his performances by his first call up since November 2006.

Les Bleus take on the Euro 2008 champions at the Stade de France on Wednesday in their first match since November’s controversial World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland.

Squad: Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille), Carrasso (Bordeaux); Boumsong (Lyon), Escude (Sevilla), Evra (Manchester United), Sagna (Arsenal), Rami (Lille), Ciani (Bordeaux), Cissokho (Lyon), Fanni (Rennes); Diarra (Real Madrid), Toulalan (Lyon), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sissoko (Toulouse), Malouda (Chelsea), Cheyrou (Marseille), Ben Arfa (Marseille); Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Govou (Lyon), Remy (Nice), Saha (Everton).