France coach Laurent Blanc has named a 24-man squad for EURO 2012 qualifiers against Albania and Romania.

France tops Group D after six rounds, but they are just one and three points adrift of Belarus and Bosnia respectively, meaning that les Bleus will have to keep the rich vein of form until the very end if they want to make it to the final tournament.

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will have a chance to win his first cap, while Valencia’s Adil Rami is included even though he is suspended for the Albania game.

Eric Abidal and Younes Kaboul are expected to form a centre-back pairing against Albania, while Patrice Evra returns to the left-back position.

Gael Clichy has been overlooked once again, but Ligue 1 hotshots Yan M’Vila and Marvin Martin keep their places in the squad.

France travels to Albania on Friday before visiting Romania four days later and les Bleus are 1.40 (2/5) to win in Tirana.

France squad:

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

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Younes Kaboul (Tottenham), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Adil Rami (Valencia), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Yan M’Vila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St Germain), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (Paris St Germain), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris St Germain), Jeremy Menez (Paris St Germain), Loic Remy (Marseille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).