“Smiley, happy” Evra recalled by France for Sweden clash

France coach Didier Deschamps has recalled Juventus left-back Patrice Evra for Friday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Sweden after Paris Saint-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa suffered an injury in yesterday's meeting with Rennes forcing him to pull out of the squad.

Experience at international level

Evra captained France at 2010 World Cup South Africa but now 35, he has dropped down the pecking order and has been excluded from Deschamps’ recent squad lists. He has been capped 80 times since gaining his first call-up in 2004.

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Great character

“He's a top level player, and he maintains his level by playing for Juventus. I never said it was over for him. I always maintained that from time to time that he'd be called upon if needed. He really loves the French national team. And he's a smiley, good humoured person who cheers things up in the dressing room, but above all he's a highly experienced footballer worthy of his place in the team”, Deschamps said today.

France are joint top of their qualifying group with Friday’s opponents Sweden on seven points each from three games.

Rennes goalkeeper Benoît Costil has also been drafted into the squad after PSG’s Alphonse Areola picked up an injury in Sunday's match at the Parc des Princes.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Benoît Costil (Rennes), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Crystal Palace)

Defenders: Sébastien Corchia (Lille), Lucas Digne (Barcelona), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Adil Rami (Sevilla), Djibril Sidibé (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Dimitri Payet (West Ham), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (PSG), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)

Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Dortmund), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Kevin Gameiro (Atlético Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)