Claude Makelele, Ludovic Giuly and David Trezeguet return to France's squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands.
New coach Raymond Domenech also called up Patrick Vieira, who has not played for Arsenal this season and could also miss this weekend's match because of a thigh injury.
"Our team need leaders. Patrick's presence is very important even if he is not fully fit. As far as I know, he has been training hard and is available," said Domenech who took over from Jacques Santini after Euro 2004.
Makelele will be on standby to fill Vieira's shoes as a defensive midfielder. The Chelsea player was left out of the first squad named by Domenech for a friendly against Bosnia on August 18 as were Barcelona's Giuly and Trezeguet of Juventus.
Domenech dropped four players who took part in the 1-1 draw, defender Anthony Reveillere, midfielder Rio-Antonio Mavuba and strikers Pierre-Alain Frau and Sydney Govou.
"There is a fierce competition for a striker's berth and (Angola-born) Mavuba is still waiting for the official confirmation of his French citizenship," Domenech said.
The French coach kept faith with young defenders Sebastien Schillaci and Patrick Evra who he brought in to rebuild his defence after Marcel Desailly, Liliam Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu ended their international careers.
The Israel game will also be Les Bleus first official appearance since Zinedine Zidane retired from international football.
France face Israel in Paris on September 4 and the Faroe Islands in Torshawn fours days later.
The squad will assemble on Monday at their training camp of Clairefontaine, south of Paris. "I'm glad we are going to have a full week of training. We shall have to be careful because Israel can turn round a game very quickly," Domenech said.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Fabien Barthez (Olympique Marseille), Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Olympique Lyon), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Rangers, Scotland), Patrice Evra (Monaco), William Gallas (Chelsea, England), Gael Givet (Monaco), Bernard Mendy (Paris St Germain), Sebastien Squillaci (Monaco)
Midfielders: Alou Diarra (RC Lens), Claude Makelele (Chelsea, England), Benoit Pedretti (Olympique Marseille), Robert Pires (Arsenal, England), Jerome Rothen (Paris St Germain), Patrick Vieira (Arsenal, England)
Forwards: Djibril Cisse (Liverpool, England), Ludovic Giuly (Barcelona, Spain), Thierry Henry (Arsenal, England), Peguy Luyindula (Olympique Marseille), David Trezeguet (Juventus, Italy).
