Pires desperate for France recall
Outcast midfielder Robert Pires is so desperate for a France recall he is even prepared to endure a stint on the bench for Les Bleus.
The 32-year-old Arsenal star has been frozen out of the international set-up for more than a year since speaking out against coach Raymond Domenech’s tactics in October 2004. Pires has since missed out on six World Cup qualifiers as well as six friendly matches.
Pires knows his only chance to play at the World Cup in Germany next June will be if he s called up for France’s friendly against Slovakia on March 1 and he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of striker Nicolas Anelka, who resumed international action this week after a two-and-a-half-year exile.
“I am waiting for a sign,” Pires told television programme Stade 2.
“Even if I am a substitute, I will be happy, I will be delighted.”
Anelka turned down a possible cap in November 2002. He said he was upset not to be selected for the original squad when Domenech called him up to replace the injured Sidney Govou.
“Anelka’s return is maybe a message that Domenech wants to pass on me,” Pires added.
