France coach Didier Deschamps announced a 24 player squad for the upcoming friendly against the Netherlands on March 5 as their World Cup preparation moves into the final stretch.
Deschamps handed debut call-ups to Real Sociedad striker Antoine Griezmann and Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Digne while Manchester City playmaker Samir Nasri and Monaco defender Eric Abidal were omitted for the sold out fixture.
"I want to inform you that the match is a complete sell-out which in these times is good news," said Deschamps.
Griezmann's inclusion was expected after a dazzling season in La Liga that has seen him plunder 15 goals and puts him in the frame for the upcoming World Cup in June.
Digne who plays at left-back for the Ligue 1 leaders, and helped France win the under-20 World Cup, was preferred to City's Gael Clichy as cover for Manchester United veteran Patrice Evra.
As for Nasri, his recovery from a serious knee injury put doubts in Deschamps' thinking and the former Arsenal and Marseille midfielder is now in danger of missing a second straight World Cup.
Star players Hugo Lloris, Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema, Yoann Cabaye and Paul Pogba were all included for the final friendly before France embark on their final World Cup training programme on May 19.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/ENG), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne)
Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle/ENG), Lucas Digne (Paris SG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal/ENG), Eliaquim Mangala (FC Porto/POR), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool/ENG), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid/ESP)
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Paris SG), Blaise Matuidi (Paris SG), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Paul Pogba (Juventus/ITA), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle/ENG), Rio Mavuba (Lille)
Strikers: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Loic Remy (Newcastle/ENG), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Dimitri Payet (Marseille), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad/ESP)
Source: AFP
