France prepare World Cup winners for Euro 2000

French coach Roger Lemerre has announced a slim squad for the friendly next week in Paris against Poland.

The basis of the squad remains the 1998 World Cup winning side who are now being prepared for the European Championships in June. France as hosts won the tournament in 1984.

The selection of former Newcastle striker Stephane Guivarc'h emphasises the familiar look of the group to any follower of the 1998 World Cup finals. A poor spell in English football saw him vanish from the French national side in 1999 but recent good displays for Auxerre have seen Guivarc'h put back into contention by Lemerre. Sylvain Wiltord retains his place in the attack but Thierry Henry is not included. Tony Vairelles is recalled to try and capture his club form for the national side but veteran forward Youri Djorkaeff may start the game.

The squad in full -

Goalkeepers - Barthez and Letizi.

Defenders - Blanc, Desailly, Leboeuf, Lizarazu, Thuram and Candela.

Midfielders - Deschamps, Petit, Vieira, Zidane and Pires.

Strikers - Vairelles, Wiltord, Guivarc'h, Djorkaeff and Trezeguet.