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UPDATE 3-Soccer-Trezeguet overlooked, Valbuena in France squad

Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:53pm IST
 
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(Adds Saha withdrawal)

By Patrick Vignal

PARIS, March 20 (Reuters) - France coach Raymond Domenech on Thursday again overlooked striker David Trezeguet in naming a 39-man squad to face England and Mali in friendlies next week.

He has included five newcomers -- Olympique Marseille forward Mathieu Valbuena, Olympique Lyon midfielder Mathieu Bodmer and defenders Adil Rami of Lille and VfB Stuttgart's Mathieu Delpierre.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle is the fifth, after the Recreativo Huelva striker was called up to replace Manchester United's Louis Saha, who pulled out late on Thursday.

The French federation did not give a reason for Saha's withdrawal.

France will play England at the Stade de France on Wednesday while a B team will face Mali at the Stade Charlety in Paris on Tuesday.

Trezeguet, who has scored 34 goals in 70 appearances, has not featured for France since their 1-0 defeat by Scotland in a Euro 2008 qualifier last September.

"If we need him, it is possible that he might be called back," Domenech, who has a tense relationship with the Juventus marksman, told a news conference. "The door is not closed."  Continued...

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