(Adds Piquionne call up, details)
PARIS, Oct 15 - France striker Nicolas Anelka and
defender Julien Escude have been ruled out of Wednesday's Euro
2008 qualifier against Lithuania in Nantes, the French soccer
federation (FFF) announced on Monday.
"Sevilla defender Julien Escude, who is injured, has left
Clairefontaine (France training camp) this morning. He is out
of Wednesday's game," the FFF said on their Web site without
elaborating.
"Nicolas Anelka is also out of the game," added FFF
spokesman Yann Le Guillard.
He has been replaced by Monaco striker Frederic Piquionne,
who has joined the squad in Nantes on Monday, Le Guillard said.
France are third in their qualifying Group B, two points
adrift of leaders Scotland and one point behind Italy.
They will last face Ukraine in Kiev next month.