Gourcuff returns to France squad to face Italy, but Benzema misses out

Nov 8, 2012 1:05:00 PM

The Lyon playmaker has earned a recall following his recent club form, while the Real Madrid striker misses out due to injury and there is no place for Hatem Ben Arfa

Yoann Gourcuff has been called up to the France squad for the friendly match against Italy next week.

The Lyon midfielder has featured in the last few matches for his club after struggling with injury in the early part of the campaign, and has been rewarded with a recall to Didier Deschamp's side for the game in Parma.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema misses out due to injury, as does Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, who is yet to force his way back into Didier Deschamps' plans following his disciplinary problems at Euro 2012.

Veteran midfielder Steed Malbranque also misses out on a place, despite recent reports suggesting he could earn a surprise call-up to the squad.

Les Bleus will travel to Italy to take on the Euro 2012 finalists on Wednesday November 14.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Lille), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille)

Defenders: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Christophe Jallet (Paris Saint-Germain), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Adil Rami (Valencia), Mamadou Sakho (Paris Saint-Germain), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Montpellier)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Etienne Capoue (Toulouse), Yoann Gourcuff (Olympique Lyonnais), Maxime Gonalons (Olympique Lyonnais), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique de Marseille)

Forwards: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Bafetimbi Gomis (Olympique Lyonnais), Jeremy Menez (Paris Saint-Germain), Dimitri Payet (Lille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
Cartoon: Casillas' birthday wish comes true
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
Goal's Serie A awards for 2012-13
Goal crowns the best and worst from Italy over the course of the season