PARIS: Marseille midfielder Lassana DIarra is back in France’s squad for upcoming friendly matches against Armenia and Denmark, five years after his last game with the national team.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid player joined Marseille this summer after a year without football because of a contract dispute with Lokomotiv Moscow. France coach Didier Deschamps says Diarra, who started his international career in 2007, was rewarded for his excellent start to the season.

Deschamps also gave a first call to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, currently on loan at Villarreal from Paris Saint-Germain. With Laurent Koscielny out through injury, Mamadou Sakho is also returning alongside Rennes forward Paul-Georges Ntep. France host Armenia on October 8 before a trip to Denmark three days later.