Nasri must wait for France return : Deschamps

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has been left out of the France squad to face Japan in a friendly and Spain in a World Cup qualifier this month despite having served his three-match international ban.

France coach Didier Deschamps said it was not yet “the right time" for Nasri to make his return.

“I prefer to give it a little more time,” Deschamps told a news conference on Thursday. “(But) he is still a player who can be picked in the future.”

Nasri was handed a three-match ban by the French federation after he insulted a journalist following the quarter-final defeat by Spain at Euro 2012.

With midfielders Abou Diaby and Rio Mavuba out through injury, Deschamps called up Toulouse’s Moussa Sissoko and Anzhi Makhachkala's Lassana Diarra.

Former Chelsea and Real Madrid player Diarra won the last of his 28 caps two years ago.

France host Japan on October 12 and travel to world and European champions Spain four days later.