Domenech calls up Cissokho to face Ireland

By JEROME PUGMIRE,

PARIS (AP) France coach Raymond Domenech called up Lyon defender Aly Cissokho on Thursday to face Ireland in the World Cup playoffs. Veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira was again left out.

With left back Gael Clichy ruled out with a back injury, Domenech needs cover and he watched Cissokho play in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old Vieira has been blighted by nagging injuries and has rarely played for Inter Milan over the past two seasons. Vieira failed to impress with France in a friendly against Nigeria in June, but made a strong start this season, prompting speculation Domenech would call him back.

Domenech waited until Thursday morning before finally making up his mind to leave Vieira out.

"It was not easy, it never is, and I am happy Pat is getting back to his best level little by little," Domenech said. "We weighed up the pros and cons this morning with the staff."

France plays in Ireland on Nov. 14, and then at Stade de France four days later.

"The whole of France is behind the team. These will be two great games to play in," Domenech said. "We do not take the (Ireland) players lightly, we know all about their qualities."

France has often endured its own fans jeering and booing the team at home games, but Domenech is optimistic that Les Bleus will get good backing for such a crucial match.

"We like the way the fans reacted to get tickets for the return leg. This pleased us, because it means that the whole of France is interested in this match ... not just a handful of people who are behind the team," Domenech said. "These two matches will be super to play in, everyone will be up for it and there is also something at stake here - qualification - which adds a bit more spice."

The 22-year-old Cissokho was playing second-division football for Guegnon two seasons ago, and even struggled to get into that team.

His luck changed when a scout recommended him to Portuguese club Vitoria Setubal last season and he was then quickly snapped up by FC Porto. Several impressive performances for Porto in the Champions League - particularly against former Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo - earned him a chance to move to AC Milan.

But that transfer fell through after Milan said they detected a dental problem during his medical check, and Lyon signed him on a five-year deal for 15 million ($24.3 million) - prompting Italy defender Fabio Grosso to leave and join Juventus.

France will be without winger Franck Ribery (knee) and Clichy against Ireland, but playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and winger Sidney Govou return to Domenech's squad.

Cissokho is important because Patrice Evra, Eric Abidal and William Gallas will miss the return match if they get a yellow card in Ireland.

"We had to cover every position, as we don't know what can happen in a match and in the return leg," Domenech said. "We have players who offer a solution and we have to bear this is mind."

Even though France lost only one game and finished one point behind Serbia in Group 7, Les Bleus labored throughout the qualifying campaign, alternating between poor defending and a lackluster attack.

Ireland was unbeaten in Group 8, but six draws in 10 games left the team six points behind Italy.

France:

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

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Aly Cissokho (Lyon), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rod Fanni (Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Lyon)

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Andre-Pierrre Gignac (Toulouse), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Loic Remy (Nice)

Updated November 5, 2009