David Trezeguet returned to the France squad today but coach Jacques Santini revealed he almost included Nicolas Anelka instead.
Les Bleus, preparing to face Slovenia on Saturday and Malta next week, had a vacant spot following a calf injury to Auxerre midfielder Olivier Kapo.
Trezeguet, the Juventus striker, has only just returned to action from a knee injury and he was not impressive at the weekend in Serie A against Como. This is the first time Trezeguet will play under Santini.
That made Santini consider a recall for Manchester City's Anelka, who lost his place in the squad when Roger Lemerre was coach.
Santini said: "We hesitated between him and Anelka, but we considered Nicolas's qualities are quite similar to the strikers we already have. Trezeguet is more flexible regarding his position on the pitch".
Anelka had a promising start for City, whom he joined in the summer, but has not been influential in recent weeks.