News: France coach Raymond Domenech does not intend to call up Robert Pires again as he claims the Arsenal midfielder is incompatible with the rest of the French side.

The 32-year-old, who won the World Cup with France in 1998 and the European Championships in 2000, has not played for his country since last October after criticising Domenech.

He also fell out with the French footballing authorities after wearing the wrong brand of T-shirt in an interview, but Domenech insists he does not have a personal problem with the player.

In an interview with regional newspaper La Provence, Domenech, who this week picked his squad to play the Faroe Islands on September 3rd and the Republic of Ireland four days later in World Cup qualifying matches, simply explained he does not see a footballing argument for including Pires.

"There is no Pires case," he said. "Ask yourself who took his place? (Florent) Malouda and (Vikash) Dhorasoo who were very good and efficient.

"My choice is only a sporting choice. If the most temperamental player in my team was still capable of bringing me qualification I would take him on board.

"Sometimes there are incompatibilities, not personal, but technical, between the players."

Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has told Clinton Morrison to show Steve Bruce he was wrong to let the striker leave Birmingham.

Morrison returned to Crystal Palace in a £2 million deal after becoming frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities under City manager Bruce. But Morrison has prospered for Ireland under Kerr's guidance, and the 26-year-old believes going back to Selhurst Park - three years after his move to St Andrews - will improve his international prospects still further.

"Brian Kerr told me that I had made a good decision by returning to Palace," revealed Morrison. "He said I should enjoy myself and prove a few people wrong. He wants me to play regularly rather than play in the reserves at Birmingham.

"He also told me that stepping down a level wouldn't affect my chances. It's all about what I do for the national team."

Morrison has scored seven goals in 28 appearances for Ireland, and is a crucial figure in the bid to qualify for next summer's World Cup finals in Germany.

Morrison rejected moves to Palace's Championship rivals Norwich and Southampton to return to his first club - and Kerr will be a regular visitor to Selhurst Park this term.

"Brian Kerr is happy and he will come and watch my club games. Every time I've pulled on that Ireland shirt, I've scored goals," Morrison continued. "We've got a big game against France coming up, and if we win it'll really help our World Cup chances.

"Maybe I would have had less chance of making the final squad if I'd been playing in the reserves at Birmingham."