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France will be without captain Patrick Vieira for their World Cup play-off against Ireland on November 14 and 18.

Midfielder Vieira, who has won 107 caps but is struggling, at 33, to recapture his best form and rarely starts for Internazionale, was not on the 24-man list named by Raymond Domenech.

The France coach picked two uncapped players in Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso and Lyon defender Aly Cissokho.

Domenech will also have to make do without Franck Ribery, sidelined with a niggling knee injury, but still has plenty of talent in his squad with the likes of playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and forwards Thierry Henry and Karim Benzema.

Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris, who was outstanding in his side's 1-1 Champions League draw with Liverpool on Wednesday, is expected to play in goal.

France visit Ireland on November 14 at Croke Park before welcoming them to the Stade de France four days later. The winners of the tie will play in next year's finals in South Africa.

"To have two games like these to play is important for a whole generation," said Domenech, who has faced criticism in France for years and knows his job will be on the line.

"We need total support from the public," added the France coach, whose team have been jeered by their own fans in recent outings.

Asked whether the fact Ireland were coached by Italian Giovanni Trapattoni boosted his motivation, Domenech, whose team lost to Italy in the 2006 World Cup final, said: "No, this is France against Ireland and the coaches don't play the matches.

"This is not a boxing fight, this is not a Frenchman against an Italian, just two coaches who want their team to qualify," he added.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Aly Cissokho (Lyon), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Julien Escude (Sevilla), Rod Fanni (Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Loic Remy (Nice).

Reuters