Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a knee injury after being left out of France's initial 26-man squad.
Cabaye and Ben Arfa rewarded with call ups by Blanc
Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a knee injury after France coach Laurent Blanc excluded the centre-back from an initial 26-man squad.
The former Portsmouth and Auxerre centre-back's knee injury flared up during Tottenham's final Premier League game against Fulham on Sunday.
And as a consequence Kaboul will not be involved at this summer's finals, when France will meet England as part of their Group D campaign.
"He's not fit to play in the Euro," said Blanc.
Fringe role
Blanc, who has until 29th May to name his final, 23-man squad, did include Manchester City's Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri along with Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
Newcastle pair Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa were both rewarded with selections, while there was also a place for Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny.
Despite a fringe role this season, Chelsea wide-man Florent Malouda earned a call up.
Blanc also named Loic Remy in his squad, although the Marseille striker was on Monday ruled out of action for up to four weeks with a thigh injury.
"His chances of taking part in the competition are very slim," said Blanc.
Yoann Gourcuff has not featured for France since a friendly against Croatia in March 2011 and has also had a disappointing season, but the Lyon playmaker was selected by Blanc.
France squad in full
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Gael Clichy (Man City), Patrice Evra (Man United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AC Milan), Adil Rami (Valencia), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Mapou Yanga Mbiwa (Montpellier)
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Man City), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Yann Mvila (Rennes), Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (PSG)
Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier), Jeremy Menez (PSG), Loic Remy (Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).
