Reveillere and Cabaye replace injured Diarra in Blanc’s selection

Laurent Blanc yesterday added Lyon’s Anthony Reveillere and Lille’s Yohan Cabaye to the France squad for their opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers after Lassana Diarra was ruled out by injury.

“Lassana could have covered two positions, as a defensive midfielder and right-back,” explained Blanc.

“He cannot play, so I have to call-up a right-back (Reveillere) and a defensive midfielder (Cabaye).”

Diarra played 90 minutes for Real Madrid in their 0-0 draw at Real Mallorca on Sunday evening but a statement issued by Real after the game said the holding midfielder had injured his right leg.

Real did not disclose how long he was likely to be out of action for.

France host Belarus in Paris on Friday before travelling to play Bosnia-Herzegovina on September 7.

Reveillere’s call-up means Blanc’s 22-man squad now contains 10 players who participated at the World Cup.

Cabaye made his France debut in their 2-1 friendly defeat in Norway on August 11, which was Blanc’s first match in charge.

The Squad

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

Defenders: Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Adil Rami (Lille), Philippe Mexes (Roma), Mamadou Sakho (Paris Saint-Germain), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Benoit Tremoulinas (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon).

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yann Mvila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Jeremy Menez (Roma), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Yohan Cabaye (Lille).

Forwards: Kevin Gameiro (Lorient), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris Saint-Germain), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Loic Remy (Olympique Marseille), Louis Saha (Everton).