Blanc calls on Reveillere, rues Ben Arfa injury

France coach Laurent Blanc called Lyon right-back Anthony Reveillere into his squad on Monday for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Romania, on Saturday in Paris, and Luxembourg, on October 12 in Metz.

Reveillere has been brought in amid fears Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna, who missed Monday training, may not be fit to play after suffering a knock in his team’s loss to Chelsea on Sunday.

Blanc said, however, that he had received positive news concerning the ankle injury sustained by Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby in that match.

“The news is generally reassuring,” said Blanc.

“As I could see, he took a blow to his ankle, which wasn’t in a very good state. But after the first examinations, although his ankle is sore, there’s nothing worrying.”

On Sunday, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger had said Diaby would be “doubtful” for the international dates.

Blanc also said he felt sorry for attacking midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, on loan to Newcastle from Marseille this season, who broke his left leg in Newcastle’s 2-1 loss at Manchester City on Sunday.

Newcastle said the 23-year-old had broken the tibia and fibula bones in a tackle by Nigel de Jong and would likely be out for much of the rest of this season.

“I saw his injury — it is a serious injury that will require patience,” said Blanc.

“It is a shame for him as when you arrive at a new club you have to adapt and that is not easy. When you pick up a serious injury it is all the more difficult.”

Ben Arfa, who scored on his full Newcastle debut at Everton last month, was not selected for the upcoming internationals.

He did, however, score in Blanc’s first match in charge — a 2-1 friendly loss in Norway on August 11.

Revised France squad

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

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Adil Rami (Lille), Philippe Mexes (Roma/ITA), Mamadou Sakho (Paris Saint-Germain), Gael Clichy (Arsenal/ENG), Benoit Tremoulinas (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon)

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ENG), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Yann Mvila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Blaise Matuidi (Saint-Etienne), Samir Nasri (Arsenal/ENG)

Forwards: Kevin Gameiro (Lorient), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris Saint-Germain), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Loic Remy (Marseille), Dimitri Payet (Saint-Etienne)