Anelka and Djorkaeff back for France

NICOLAS ANELKA and Youri Djorkaeff's World Cup hopes have been boosted by the news that they have been recalled to the France squad for this month's friendly with Russia.

There are also recalls for Parma duo Alain Boghossian and Johan Micoud for the game in Paris on April 17.

Fulham striker Steve Marlet is left out despite scoring in last month's 5-0 win over Scotland along with Bayern Munich's Willy Sagnol, Lyon midfielder Eric Carriere and Olympiakos star Christian Karembeu, who was booed throughout the Scotland game.

Anelka, who is on loan at Liverpool from Paris Saint Germain until the end of the season, has not played for his country since the controversial friendly with Australia last November.

The jet-heeled striker has started to reproduce his best form with Liverpool and Djorkaeff has scored three goals in his last three games for Bolton.

Full squad:

Barthez (Manchester United), Rame (Bordeaux) Candela (Roma), Christanval (Barcelona), Desailly (Chelsea), Leboeuf (Marseille), Lizarazu (Bayern), Silvestre (Manchester United), Thuram (Juventus) Boghossian (Parma), Djorkaeff (Bolton), Micoud (Parma), Petit (Chelsea), Vieira (Arsenal), Zidane (Real Madrid) Anelka (Liverpool), Henry (Arsenal), Trezeguet (Juventus), Wiltord (Arsenal)