France call up Cisse as Saha cover

Saha was in line for his first cap since 2006 (GETTY IMAGES)

Panathinaikos forward Djibril Cisse has been called up to the France squad as cover for injured Everton striker Louis Saha.

Saha was left out of Everton's squad for yesterday's defeat at Tottenham, suffering from ankle and hamstring problems, and is unlikely to be fit enough to make his first international appearance since November 2006.

Cisse, who scored another two goals yesterday to add to his midweek brace against Roma in the Europa League, could now line up against Spain on Wednesday.

The former Sunderland striker was left fuming when France coach Raymond Domenech left him out of the original 23-man list and issued a furious rant following the Roma game.

"I'm going to tell you honestly, that really annoyed me, because I thought I'd done a good job," Cisse told Canal Plus. "My response is what I did tonight. I hope my performance will be seen.

"What's most important is the World Cup. I'm not there against Spain but we'll see at the end of the season. I won't give up."

The 28-year-old also added in L'Equipe: "I can assure you I'm going to explode in the next two months.

"I'm in a rage, but a good rage. Knowing that the coach is still thinking about me gives me even more hunger. A crazy hunger."

Cisse has been in outstanding form in Greece and yesterday's brace took his tally to 25 goals this season - including 20 in 23 league games.