Laurent Koscielny has been named in the France squad for their Euro 2012 qualifiers despite being injured at the moment.
Arsenal centre-back included despite being injured
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been named in the France national team for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Albania and Romania next month despite being injured at the moment.
The centre-back is one of three players added to Laurent Blanc's team that drew 1-1 with Chile in a friendly international in Montpellier earlier this month, the other two being Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery and Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.
Koscielny missed Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Udinese in Italy in the second leg of their Champions League play-off victory on Wednesday evening after hurting his back during last weekend's defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League.
Blanc has excluded Lille winger Dimitri Payet following his disappointing start to the 2011/12 season but has retained his confidence in Paris St Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau.
PSG captain Mamadou Sakho is out with a thigh injury and AC Milan centre-back Philippe Mexes, who is recovering from a knee problem, is also out of contention.
France are currently in pole position in Group D and lead second-placed Belarus by one point. They have a game in hand and after taking on Albania in Tirana on September 2, confront Romania in Bucharest four days later.
France squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Younes Kaboul (Tottenham), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Adil Rami (Valencia), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Yan M'Vila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St Germain), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (Paris St Germain), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris St Germain), Jeremy Menez (Paris St Germain), Loic Remy (Marseille)
