France coach Laurent Blanc has announced the 26-man squad for the qualifying game against Belarus and the friendlies with Ukraine and Poland.

The former Bordeaux coach has served up some surprises, although the changes were expected seeing that several important players are unavailable.

Lloris, Mandanda and Carrasso are the three goalkeepers, so surprise there, but there are some new names in the back line.

With Philippe Mexes, Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny missing out through injury, Blanc decided to recall Eric Abidal and Younes Kaboul, while Gael Clichy has been overlooked.

Lassana Diarra and Yoann Gourcuff are also on the sidelines, freeing up space for talented Sochaux midfielder Marvin Martin and Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia.

Karim Benzema, Guillaume Hoarau, Kevin Gameiro and Loic Remy are the four attackers in the squad, so there is no doubt Les Bleus will have enough attacking potential to hurt Belarus.

Les Bleus have lost at home to Belarus at the start of Euro 2012 qualifiers, so this will be the perfect opportunity to get revenge. France are 1.73 (8/11) with Victor Chandler to win their fifth straight qualifier.

France squad:

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

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon), Adil Rami (Lille), Mamadou Sakho (Paris St Germain), Younes Kaboul (Tottenham), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Yohan Cabaye (Lille), Yann Mvila (Stade Rennes), Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (St Etienne), Charles N’Zogbia (Wigan Athletic), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Jeremy Menez (AS Roma), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (Lorient), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris St Germain), Loic Rémy (Olympique Marseille).