France coach Domenech retains Gallas

William Gallas has retained his place in a reduced France squad as Raymond Domenech's side begin their World Cup preparations in earnest in Tignes today. Karim Benzema, Patrick Vieira and Samir Nasri were three high-profile omissions from the 30-man...

William Gallas has retained his place in a reduced France squad as Raymond Domenech's side begin their World Cup preparations in earnest in Tignes today.

Karim Benzema, Patrick Vieira and Samir Nasri were three high-profile omissions from the 30-man preliminary World Cup squad named by Domenech last week and Les Bleus have opted to cull another six players for the training camp at the French ski resort.

Mickael Landreau (Lille), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Adil Rami (Lille), Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille) and Jimmy Briand (Rennes) have not received invites from Domenech to attend the camp, but Arsenal defender Gallas has.

Gallas remains a fitness concern with a calf injury which troubled him in the closing stages of the Premier League campaign with Arsenal.

Marc Planus, of Bordeaux, is likely to take Gallas' place should the former Roma and Chelsea defender fail to prove his fitness for the World Cup campaign.

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