Injury-hit France recall Trezeguet

CLAIREFONTAINE, France -- Injury-hit France recalled striker David Trezeguet to their squad to face England in a prestigious friendly international at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

Juventus ace Trezeguet has been left out in the cold by France coach Raymond Domenech since September 2007 and was omitted from the original selection.

But injuries to fellow strikers Thierry Henry, Louis Saha and Karim Benzema have seen Trezeguet back in the fold.

France captain Patrick Vieira is also out through injury but he told reporters on Monday that he was delighted by Trezeguet's return.

"I am very happy (for Trezeguet)," Vieira said.

"He is having a great season and is scoring a lot of goals."

Trezeguet is stop scorer in Italy's Serie A with 17 goals and is also France's third all-time highest scorer with 34 goals.

"I know what the French team represents for Trezeguet," said Vieira, who has a sore thigh and won't be available until this weekend for his club Inter Milan.

Domenech had not selected Trezeguet since the 1-0 home loss to Scotland in 2008 European Championship qualifying.

Now, three months ahead of the summer tournament, Trezeguet has another chance to stake his claim.

Benzema hurt his knee in Lyon's 4-2 win on Sunday over Paris Saint-Germain while Barcelona's Henry and Manchester United's Saha pulled out for undisclosed reasons, as did midfielder Mathieu Valbuena and goalkeeper Sebastien Frey. Arsenal defender Bakary Sagna also withdrew with an ankle injury picked up in his side's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on the Premier League on Sunday.

Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra is also doubtful with a sore thigh.

Henry's absence means Lens striker Loic Remy, on loan from Lyon, gets his first call-up to the overall squad and could feature alongside Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Jimmy Briand in France's "B" international against Mali on Tuesday.

That leaves Nicolas Anelka likely to lead France's attack against England, possibly alongside Trezeguet.

"I have played a lot of times with Trezeguet before," Anelka said. "It has always gone well. He is a player who likes goals. He has different qualities to Thierry (Henry) and Karim (Benzema). But I know we get on well together on the field." E-mail to a friend

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