French delight in Anelka's return, says poll

The majority of French soccer fans are delighted with Nicolas Anelka's surprise return to the national squad after a three-year absence, a poll showed yesterday.

Anelka has not played for his country since he rejected a late call-up from former coach Jacques Santini for a friendly against Yugoslavia in November 2002.

However, the poll showed that 72 per cent of respondents were happy with the return of the enfant terrible of French football, who was included in a 23-man squad announced by coach Raymond Domenech on Thursday.

Anelka, who won his first cap under Aime Jacquet in April 1998 in a warm-up against Sweden, had previously said he would not return to international duty with Domenech in charge.

France, who have qualified for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, are scheduled to play friendly internationals against Costa Rica and Germany this week.