Mbappe named in star-studded France squad as Lacazette and Zouma return

Mbappe, Lacazette and Zouma

Kylian Mbappe has been named in a star-studded France squad for his country's triple-header of matches next month, while Alexandre Lacazette and Kurt Zouma return.

France have friendlies against Paraguay and England either side of an away World Cup qualifier against Sweden on June 9.

Mbappe, 18, made his first two international appearances during the March fixtures against Luxembourg and Spain and retains his place in Didier Deschamps' 26-man squad after helping Monaco to their first Ligue 1 title in 17 years.

A star-studded squad also includes Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann and Manchester United's Paul Pogba.

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma could make their first appearances in 18 months after earning recalls alongside Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko, whose last game was in November 2016.

Zouma has been working his way back to fitness from a serious knee injury since January, while Lacazette has scored 26 Ligue 1 goals in a phenomenal campaign.

Deschamps' selection includes three uncapped players: Alphonse Areola, Presnel Kimpembe and Florian Thuavin.

There is still no place for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who has not been selected since being charged by police in connection with an alleged blackmail attempt targeting his Les Bleus team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, a case which is yet to go to trial.

Other big names to miss out include Tiemoue Bakayoko, Patrice Evra, Kevin Gameiro, Aymeric Laporte and Anthony Martial.

France squad to face Paraguay, Sweden and England:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Benoit Costil, Alphonse Areola.

Defenders: Laurent Koscielny, Raphael Varane, Lucas Digne, Christophe Jallet, Djibril Sidibe, Samuel Umtiti, Kurt Zouma, Benjamin Mendy, Presnel Kimpembe.

Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi, Moussa Sissoko, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Corentin Tolisso.

Forwards: Thomas Lemar, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet, Alexandre Lacazette, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Florian Thauvin.