Thierry Henry has been deemed fit enough to be called into the France squad by Raymond Domenech ahead of the World Cup play-offs against the Republic of Ireland on November 14th and 18th. There is no place for experienced midfielder Patrick Vieira, whose return had been anticipated by some.
Domenech has also called on left-back Aly Cissokho to cover for the absent Arsenal defender Gael Clichy, while Patrice Evra of Manchester United is also in the squad. Cissokho has yet to win a cap for France but his form in the Champions League, particularly in the two games against Liverpool, has been impressive.
Henry has been struggling with a hamstring injury but played eight minutes for Barcelona against Rubin Kazan last night. He has been selected with fellow attackers Karim Benzema of Real Madrid, Sydney Govou of Lyon, Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka and top scorer in the qualifiers André-Pierre Gignac of Toulouse.
THe latter is likely to spearhead the attack with Henry, Anelka and Yoann Gourcuff behind him, though Domenech has a wealthy of attacking options. Even without the injured Franck Ribery, he can also call on Chelsea’s Florent Malouda, Govou and Benzema.
Domenech obviously saw no need for Vieira, given the presence of Lassana Diarra and Jeremy Toulalan, both of whom are holding midfielders. The manager has yet to use the Inter Milan player in this campaign and, in truth, there was little to suggest he was about to start now.
The 24-man squad, on paper at least, is astonishingly strong but it is in defence where France had their problems when finishing as runners-up to Serbia in Group Seven.
On the flanks, with the aforementioned left-back options and Bacary Sagna on the right, they look strong but centrally there would have to be question marks over Arsenal’s William Gallas and either Eric Abidal of Barcelona or Sevilla's Sebastien Squillaci.
Alternatives, like Phillip Mexes (Roma) and Jean-Alain Boumsong (Lyon), who featured once each during the campaign, are not included, though Rod Fanni of Stades Rennes and Squillaci's club-mate Juline Escude can also be deployed in the centre.
Henry's inclusion, while not unexpected, will strike an ominous note with fans and players alike. The former Arsenal striker curled a late winner past Shay Given at Lansdowne Road in 2005 to take top spot in Ireland's World Cup qualfying group for German.
Domenech, who is deeply unpopular with much of France's footballing fraternity, called for "total support" from the public today.
"To have two games like these to play is important for a whole generation," he said. "We need total support from the public."
Asked whether the fact Ireland were coached by Giovanni Trapattoni boosted his motivation after his side lost to Italy in the 2006 World Cup final, he said: "No, this is France against Ireland and the coaches don't play the matches.
"This is not a boxing fight, this is not a Frenchman against an Italian, just two coaches who want their team to qualify."
France squad
Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Aly Cissokho (Olympique Lyon), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Rod Fanni (Stade Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon)
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Loic Remy (Nice).
