Anelka out of World Cup qualifiers

Injury-hit Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has withdrawn from the France squad to play the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header against Lithuania and has been replaced by Guillaume Hoarau of Paris St Germain.

Anelka is suffering from a toe injury and will be out for 30 days, prompting coach Raymond Domenech to call up PSG’s Reunion-born uncapped striker Hoarau, the French league’s second-highest scorer this season with 15 goals.

France, lying third in Group 7 of World Cup qualifing behind Serbia and Lithuania, play the Lithuanians away on March 28 and at home on April 1.

Revised France squad

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

Defenders: Gael Clichy (Arsenal/ENG), Rod Fanni (Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Philippe Mexes (Roma/ITA), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Adil Rami (Lille)

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Samir Nasri (Arsenal/ENG), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER)

Forwards: Guillaume Hoarau (PSG), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Jimmy Briand (Rennes), Thierry Henry (Barcelona/ESP), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse)