DEMBELE LEFT OUT

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has won a France recall for the friendlies against Wales and Germany.

However, there was no space in a 24- man squad announced by Didier Deschamps for Celtic’s 21- year- old striker Moussa Dembele, who had been tipped for inclusion.

Martial has not played for France since October 2016, when he won his 15th cap against Holland, but is back in the fold after netting six goals for Manchester United so far this season.

Deschamps said former Monaco player Martial had “come back well” after a “more difficult period” in his career, justifying his return to favour.

His inclusion was a factor in Deschamps having no room in his squad for Dembele, who according to reports in France had been put on alert for a possible first call- up.

As it happened, Deschamps selected eight forwards, all tried and trusted and including Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud and Alexandre Lacazette, Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

Deschamps did include two newcomers, bringing in Sevilla’s former Stoke and Blackburn midfielder Steven Nzonzi and Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard.