Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka has been recalled to the France squad to face Scotland and the Faroe Islands in their Euro 2008 Group B qualifiers.
Anelka has been drafted in because injury doubts over Sidney Govou and Louis Saha, a France spokesman said today.
The much-travelled former Paris St Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool forward will join France's training camp in Clairefontaine later on Thursday.
Anelka, 27, has scored seven goals in 31 internationals but has always had a rocky relationship with the national team.
Coach Raymond Domenech has moved to avoid the souring of a another relationship after defender William Gallas claimed that the Scots will be "quaking in their boots" ahead of the game.
"Please do not underestimate the importance of this match with Scotland. For me it is of massive importance," said the manager, who himself is not known for his humility. "It's going to be a very big challenge for us to go there and win the game.
"The World Cup is in the past. We've also dealt with the Italy match and now we're into the crucial stages of the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
"Personally, I feel the trip to Scotland will be the first genuine match in the qualifying campaign, I really do think that.
"Scotland aren't top of the group with us by accident.
"They have got there by getting two exceptionally good results at home to the Faroes and away to Lithuania and we won't take them lightly.
"In winning their two opening games they have done enough to merit our respect and they will get that."
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