France overlook Vieira for playoff

France will be without captain Patrick Vieira for their World Cup playoff against Ireland on Nov. 14 and 18.

Midfielder Veira, who has won 107 caps but is struggling, at 33, to recapture his best form and rarely starts for his Inter Milan club, was not on the 24-man list named on Thursday by Raymond Domenech.

The France coach picked two uncapped players in Girondins Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso and Olympique Lyon defender Aly Cissokho.

France will visit Ireland on Nov. 14 at Croke Park before welcoming them to the Stade de France four days later. The winners of the tie will play in next year's finals in South Africa.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Aly Cissokho (Olympique Lyon), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Rod Fanni (Stade Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon)

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Loic Remy (Nice).