Trezeguet returns to French squad

PARIS, France -- In-form David Trezeguet has been included in France's squad for their crunch Euro 2008 qualifiers against Italy and Scotland next month.

The striker, who scored a hat-trick for Juventus on the opening day of the new Serie A campaign last weekend, is back in coach Raymond Domenech's plans after being overlooked for most of last season while Juve were in Serie B.

Domenech has also included William Gallas and Patrick Vieira in his 24-man party for the games, even though both players are currently nursing injuries.

Arsenal center-back Gallas has a groin problem while midfielder and captain Vieira is suffering from thigh trouble.

Experienced players Gregory Coupet, the Lyon goalkeeper, and Willy Sagnol, the Bayern Munich right-back, are absent with knee injuries, so Bordeaux's Ulrich Rame and Arsenal's Bacary Sagna come in as replacements.

Chelsea utility man Lassana Diarra is retained after performing well for France 'A' in last week's international against their Slovakian counterparts in Senec. But there is no place for center-backs Sebastien Squillaci or Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Domenech is banned from the touchline for the Italy qualifier, which takes place in Milan on September 8, after receiving a one-match suspension from UEFA following his remarks in a newspaper interview alluding to match-fixing in Italian football.

Les Bleus play Scotland four days later at the Parc des Princes. France currently top qualifying Group B with 18 points, two more than second-placed Italy and three more than third-placed Scotland. E-mail to a friend