Blanc to name two preliminary squads

Laurent Blanc will name two preliminary squads for the European Championship, the French Football Federation has announced.

The first squad will comprise of foreign-based French players and will be named on May 9, while the second list, made up of Ligue 1 participants, will be announced a week later.

Blanc will then narrow down the two lists for his final 23-man squad before the May 29 deadline.

France have witnessed an upturn in fortunes since Blanc took charge of the national side two years ago and are currently on an 18-match unbeaten run.

Les Bleus are grouped with England, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine at Euro 2012, which runs from June 8 to July 1.