France call on Amalfitano, Saha

Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano was today handed his first call-up to the France squad for Wednesday's international friendly against Germany. Amalfitano, 26, is the only new name in the squad named by coach Laurent Blanc after being rewarded for a series of good performances since joining the south coast club from Lorient last summer. Striker Louis Saha returns after impressing at Tottenham Hotspur. Saha replaces Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, who is awaiting the results of scans on a groin injury sustained in the 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday. Should the 33-year-old play it will be his first appearance since the 1-0 defeat to Belarus in September 2010. Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, who was handed his maiden call-up for the matches with USA and Belgium at the end of last year, retains his place while Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is also included. France squad for the international friendly against Germany in Bremen on 29 February: H Lloris (Lyon), S Mandanda (Marseille), C Carrasso (Bordeaux); E Abidal (Barcelona), M Debuchy (Lille), P Evra (Man Utd), P Mexes (Roma), A Rami (Valencia), A Reveillere (Lyon), M Sakho (Paris St Germain); M Amalfitano (Marseille), Y Cabaye (Newcastle), A Diarra (Marseille), Y M'Vila (Rennes), F Malouda (Chelsea), M Martin (Sochaux), S Nasri (Man City); K Gameiro (Paris St Germain), O Giroud (Montpellier), J Menez (Paris St Germain), F Ribery (Bayern Munich), L Saha (Tottenham), M Valbuena (Marseille)