Anelka pulls out of France squad
Monday, October 15, 2007
Article summary
Nicolas Anelka is out of France's squad to face Lithuania because of a thigh injury, with Frédéric Piquionne of AS Monaco FC being called up to deputise.
Article body
Understudy
Anelka had to be replaced after 46 minutes in Torshavn, having scored the game's opening goal, after pulling a thigh muscle and misses the visit of Lithuania to Nantes. Frédéric Piquionne of AS Monaco FC has been called up to deputise. Anelka is the second player to drop out of contention for coach Raymond Domenech after defender Julien Escudé.
Treatment
It is thought Anelka has aggravated an old injury. The 28-year-old will return to his club, Bolton Wanderers FC, for treatment. Sevilla FC left-back Escudé had been unable to train last week because of an unspecified problem and sat out the Faroes match. Anelka's replacement, Piquionne, also 28, has a solitary Les Bleus cap won last March. France sit third in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B, behind Scotland and Italy with all three teams having two games left to play.
