France welcome return of Zidane, Trezeguet

France welcomed the return of captain Zinedine Zidane and striker David Trezeguet for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers yesterday although injured Thierry Henry has been left out of the squad.

Coach Raymond Domenech picked Zidane in his 22-man squad although the Real Madrid midfielder is still recovering from a groin injury sustained during the 1-0 win over Ireland in Dublin last month.

Domenech is hoping Zidane will be fit in time for the matches in Switzerland on October 8 and at home to Cyprus four days later, while Trezeguet is eligible again after suspension.

Switzerland and France top Group Four with 16 points each and Les Bleus will qualify for the World Cup finals if they win in Bern next week.

A victory will not guarantee Switzerland their place in the finals though because of the remaining fixtures between the tightly bunched quartet leading the group. After Switzerland and France on 16 come Israel on 15 and Ireland on 13.

"Zidane resumed training normally. I'm not worried about him but I'm still careful. There is still a league match to play on Sunday and you never know what can happen," Domenech said.

The French coach has also high expectations from in-form Trezeguet who served a two-game ban after he was red-carded during the 1-1 draw in Israel in March.

"He is the best goal scorer in the squad and we are happy to have him back," Domenech said.

Trezeguet has scored 31 goals from 59 internationals since January 1998 and he is crucial to their chances as France will be without Henry, the match-winner in Dublin last month.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Coupet (Lyon), Landreau (Nantes).

Defenders: Boumsong (Newcastle), Gallas (Chelsea), Givet (Monaco), Reveillere (Lyon), Sagnol (B. Munich), Squillaci (Monaco), Thuram (Juventus), Zebina (Juventus).

Midfielders: Dhorasoo (PSG), Diarra (Lens), Makelele (Chelsea), Malouda (Lyon), Vieira (Juventus), Zidane (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Cisse (Liverpool), Giuly (Barcelona), Govou (Lyon), Luyindula (Auxerre), Trezeguet (Juventus), Wiltord (Lyon).