France coach Jacques Santini has called up young AJ Auxerre midfielder Olivier Kapo to the squad for their first Euro 2004 qualifier against Cyprus next week. The 21-one-year old Kapo is the only new face in a squad of 20 players which is similar to the one selected for the 1-1 draw against Tunisia in a friendly last week.
The Ivory Coast-born Kapo ranks alongside club mate Djibril Cisse as one of the brightest prospects in French soccer. Santini, who will sit on the bench in Nicosia for his first competitive game in charge, has called on seven home-based players, including four from Olympique Lyon, the club he took to its first French league title last season.
In the absence of injured goalkeepers Fabien Barthez and Ullrich Rame, Lyon's Gregory Coupet will take over. Other absentees through injury are Bayern Munich defender Bixente Lizarazu and Juventus striker David Trezeguet.
Filed by James Shortt
