© Reuters 2002

PARIS, Oct 3 (Reuters) - France coach Jacques Santini has named uncapped defender William Gallas of Chelsea in his squad for the Euro 2004 group one qualifiers against Slovenia and Malta later this month.

Gallas, 25, was part of the team that won the European under-18 championship in 1996 and played for three years with Olympique Marseille before joining Chelsea for the 2001-2002 season.

Another surprise inclusion was midfielder Olivier Dacourt of Leeds United, who has only played three times for France.

Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is back in the squad after injury.

Defender Philippe Christanval is omitted despite playing in the 2-1 defeat of Cyprus that opened France's Euro 2004 campaign on September 7.

Midfielder Emmanuel Petit, striker Djibril Cisse and defender Bixente Lizarazu are the other main absentees through injury.

France play Slovenia in Paris on October 12 and Malta in Valletta on October 16.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Fabien Barthez (Manchester United), Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon).

Defenders: Jeremy Brechet (Olympique Lyon), Marcel Desailly (Chelsea), William Gallas (Chelsea), Philippe Mewes (Auxerre), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Mikael Silvestre (Manchester United), Lilian Thuram (Juventus).

Midfielders: Eric Carriere (Olympique Lyon), Bruno Cheryou (Liverpool), Olivier Dacourt (Leeds United), Olivier Kapo (AJ Auxerre), Claude Makelele (Real Madrid), Patrick Vieira (Arsenal), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid).

Strikers: Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Steve Marlet (Fulham), Sylvain Wiltord (Arsenal).