Paris: Newcastle United duo Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa are among eight Premier League stars named in Laurent Blanc's provisional France squad for Euro 2012. The former Marseille winger has been in fine form for the Magpies recently and Blanc had recently insisted he was considering taking Ben Arfa even before he hit his purple patch.
The 25-year-old has been in impressive form at Newcastle this season after fully recovering from a broken tibia and fibula sustained in 2010-11, and has been rewarded with a place on Blanc's first provisional list, which features only foreign-based players.
Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul has also been named in the squad, alongside Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny, Manchester City pair Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri, Manchester United's Patrice Evra and Chelsea winger Florent Malouda.
Real Madrid star Karim Benzema is the only striker named. The second provisional list, with players who ply their trade in France, will be revealed on May 15. France will play friendly matches against Iceland, Serbia and Estonia before flying to Ukraine for Euro 2012.
The 1998 World Cup winners have been paired with Ukraine, Sweden and England in Group D, with their first match scheduled for June 11, against the Three Lions.
Name: Defenders: Gael Clichy, Patrice Evra, Younes Kaboul, Laurent Koscielny, Philippe Mexes, Adil Rami
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye, Florent Malouda, Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Franck Ribery
Attackers: Karim Benzema
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