France coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday included Patrice Evra in a 24-man squad for this month's two-legged World Cup qualifying play-off against Ukraine.

There were not too many surprises, but the inclusion of Manchester United left-back Evra came after he escaped punishment from the French Football Federation following a vicious verbal assault on several pundits during a television interview last month.

Deschamps said that any discussion of the Evra controversy did not interest him, and added: "The important thing for me is to be focused on this very important tie.

"You are free to debate whatever you like and write what you like. I repeat, Evra was available for selection and I made the decision as national coach.

"Internally, we are focused on our sporting objective. Nothing else should occupy our minds. It is important for us to stick together. I don't want us to be distracted from what is vital for us."

Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna and Lille captain Rio Mavuba return along with Bastia goalkeeper Mickael Landreau as three changes were made from the squad that faced Australia in a friendly and Finland in World Cup qualifying last month.

Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier and defender Kurt Zouma dropped out along with Marseille full-back Rod Fanni.

France will face Ukraine away in Kiev in the first leg on November 15 before the return at the Stade de France on November 19.

Les Bleus, who have not failed to qualify for a major tournament finals since missing the 1994 World Cup in the United States, had to settle for a play-off spot after finishing second behind reigning world champions Spain in European qualifying Group I.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Monaco), Gael Clichy (Manchester City/ENG), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United/ENG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna (both Arsenal/ENG), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool/ENG), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid/ESP)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United/ENG), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Samir Nasri (Manchester City/ENG), Paul Pogba (Juventus/ITA), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United/ENG)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ENG), Dimitri Payet (Marseille), Loic Remy (Newcastle United/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)