On-loan Lens striker Loic Remy has been included in the France squad for the first time, after midfielder Mathieu Valbuena sustained a muscle injury in Marseille's 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Sochaux on Saturday.

Les Bleus face England in a friendly at the Stade de France on Wednesday evening, whilst an 'A' team will line up against Mali the night before.

The 21-year-old Remy is on loan at the Stade Félix Bollaert from hometown club Lyon, for whom he made his debut in 2006 after progressing through the club's youth academy.

After making seven league appearances for the French champions this season, he joined Lens in January on a loan deal that could become permanent for a fee of around £6 million.

The rangy striker has scored three goals in his six appearances to date for Lens, and recently netted in the 3-3 draw at home to Marseille.

Remy has previously been capped by the France Under-21 side, but this is the first time he has been selected by national coach Raymond Domenech.

Juventus striker David Trezeguet has been drafted into the squad for the first time since September 2007 in place of injured Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, while strikers Karim Benzema and Louis Saha have also been forced to withdraw.

But with seasoned campaigners Trezeguet, Lyon's Sidney Govou, Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka and Marseille's Djibril Cisse all in the squad, Remy is likely be involved in the game against Mali rather than the showpiece game with England.

Tom Williams / Eurosport