Amandine Henry recalled to France squad by Herve Renard ahead of Women’s World Cup

AMANDINE HENRY  has been recalled to France’s national side after an absence of two years. 

The former Le Bleues skipper, 33, has been included in Herve Renard’s provisional squad before the start of the Women’s World Cup in July. 

The midfielder’s inclusion follows her switch from Lyon to US top tier side Angel City this month after a 14-year spell at the club. 

Following his squad announcement, Renard, 54, told reporters: “Having her (in the group) was one of my main intentions. 

“With her little problem with Lyon, now resolved, we helped her along a lot so that she would be available for the preparation for the World Cup.”

Renard’s 26-strong squad currently includes five WSL aces with Aston Villa’s Kenza Dali, Chelsea defender Eve Perisset and West Ham forward Viviane Asseyi all named. 

Manchester United’s Aissatou Tounkara and Estelle Cascarino have also been called up. 

However Irons centre-back Hawa Cissoko misses out ten months after being included in the squad before last summer’s Euros. 

And the team will be without the services of Paris-Saint Germain striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino due to thigh and ACL injuries. 

Henry’s return comes nearly three years after the midfielder described the atmosphere under former gaffer Corinne Diacre during the 2019 World Cup as “total chaos”

The France star, who has won 12 top-flight titles and seven Champions League medals with her squad, was left out of Diacre’s squad before last year’s Euros. 

The ex-France boss was fired in March after a number of players announced their intend to stand down from international duty.

National captain Wendi Renard, forward Kadidiatou Diani and Katoto were among the players who had temporarily stood  down. 

In an interview with French outlet Telefoot Diani said it was important for team-mates to have “something new”.

France will begin their campaign to win the World Cup with a Group D opening fixture against Jamaica at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia on July 23. 

It will see Renard’s side, currently ranked the fifth best in the world, play their first game in a major tournament under their new boss. 

Henry’s return to the side comes ahead of France’s pre-World Cup friendly fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Australia on the 6th and 14th of July. 

Their clash with the former could see Henry, who has 93 senior international caps, return to match action for France for the first time since December 2020.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk