Yohan Cabaye, Sakho given France ultimatum by Didier Deschamps

Yohan Cabaye

France internationals Yohan Cabaye and Mamadou Sakho have been warned by national team coach Didier Deschamps to either feature for their respective clubs or risk being dropped from the national team.

Deschamps will name his squad on Thursday for France’s upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Belarus. Cabaye and Sakho can expect to be omitted, having declined to feature for their clubs this season.

“If you don’t play for three weeks, how can you be in shape to play an international? It’s impossible,” Deschamps said.

L’Equipe on Tuesday rubbished reports that Cabaye had gone on strike following continuous interest from Arsenal, stating that the midfielder had missed the Magpie’s opening two Premier League matches with the permission of manager Alan Pardew.

PSG, in the meantime, remain in the wait for an offer for Sakho, who has expressed his desire to quit the club with a year left on his current contract. Liverpool and AC Milan have expressed their desire to sign the defender.

Deschamps issued warnings to Sakho and others seeking a transfer that they should play their cards carefully if they want to improve their odds of playing internationally.

“There was a time when I took Mamadou Sakho when he was playing one match in two or three. Since the Champions League, he’s not got onto the pitch. He’s fully aware that he can’t hope to be called up for France,” he was quoted as saying.

“I don’t ask them anything. They’re free to pursue their careers. But they know very well, and it’s the same for everyone, you need a minimum of playing time. In certain clubs, there’s competition. But you have to have minutes on the pitch, start games, to be able to hope to play for France,” the French coach added.