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PARIS -- France coach Didier Deschamps has left Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri out of the squad of 23 players he plans to take to the World Cup. Monaco centerback Eric Abidal, Manchester City leftback Gael Clichy and Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff were also overlooked. "Its not necessarily the 23 best French players, but its the best squad in my eyes to go as far as possible in this competition," Deschamps said. "The best solution was to give a list of 23 players right from the start, to create a good mindset, so there would be no sense of insecurity. "When you give a list of 30 players, you have about 15 players who could be worried about making the cut or not." Deschamps, who also named seven players on standby in case of injuries, doesnt need to communicate his 23-man squad to FIFA until June 2. Deschamps captained France to glory at the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship. He became the national coach in 2012. Nasri scored seven goals and had seven assists in the Premier League this season. But it was not enough to convince Deschamps. "Samirs performances with the France team were not at the level of his performances with his club," Deschamps said. "Hes an important player and a regular starter at Manchester City. Thats not the case today with the France team. "And he also said hes not happy when hes a substitute. I can tell you that you can feel it in the squad. Because of those two or three reasons, I decided not to select him in this squad." Nasri was hit with a three-match ban by the French Football Federation for his behaviour at the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, where he aimed an expletive-laced tirade at a journalist after a 2-0 quarterfinal loss to Spain. The exclusion of Abidal and Gourcuff from the list was less surprising. Abidal proved a key player when France was the runner-up at the 2006 World Cup but he has lost his starting spot at Monaco in the past few of months, while Gourcuff had an injury-plagued season. "At the human level, living together for such a long time with players who have strong characters and personalities requires harmony and an ability to live together and make the common interest prevail," Deschamps said. The entire France squad went on strike four years ago to protest the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka, who had insulted then coach Raymond Domenech during a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the World Cup in South Africa. The French federation punished Anelka and three players for their role in the mutiny. Anelka received an 18-match ban while Patrice Evra was suspended for five games, Franck Ribery for three and Jeremy Toulalan for a single match. "I dont pretend that nothing will happen," Deschamps said. "Things could happen, things will happen, but I hope it will be positive things." Deschamps will especially rely on Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to go through the group stage. France will open its World Cup campaign against Honduras on June 15 before facing Switzerland and Ecuador in Group E. Les Bleus will warm up for the tournament in Brazil by playing against Norway, Paraguay and Jamaica in friendlies. -------- Squad: Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille). Defenders: Lucas Digne (Paris Saint-Germain), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal). Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint-Germain), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille). Forwards: Loic Remy (Newcastle), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad). List of seven back-up players: Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne), Loic Perrin (Saint-Etienne), Benoit Tremoulinas (Saint-Etienne), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon). Cheap Basketball Shoes . I suppose Sternberg has earned the right to speak out since his Rays, despite one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors at $58 million, are entering the final weekend of the regular season holding down the first Wild Card spot in the American League, one game ahead of Cleveland and two up on Texas. Basketball Shoes Outlet . -- The Oakland Raiders expect to have starting right tackle Tony Pashos back for Sundays game against the Houston Texans. http://www.wholesalebasketballshoes.com/. In a pregame tribute commemorating his final contest at Coors Field on Wednesday night, Helton caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter with his wife, younger daughter and good friend Peyton Manning watching from the field. Cheap Basketball Shoes Authentic . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted that its believed the Flames are working towards a new contract with the defenceman. Wholesale Nike Basketball Shoes . Although the deal cannot be made official until the free agent moratorium period is lifted on July 10, Patterson has agreed to a three-year, $18 million extension to remain in Toronto, sources confirm to TSN. HOUSTON -- Dexter Fowler is looking forward to a new beginning with the rebuilding Houston Astros while also dealing with what he calls a bittersweet ending to his time with the Colorado Rockies. Astros acquired the outfielder and a player to be named from the Rockies on Tuesday for outfielder Brandon Barnes and right-hander Jordan Lyles. Drafted by Colorado in 2004, Fowler has spent his entire career with the Rockies. He joins a team that has posted three straight 100-plus loss seasons, including a franchise-record 111 losses in 2013 in its first year in the American League. "There are definitely challenges, but at the same time you just got to look at the positives," Fowler said. "And the positive is that there are young guys here and theyre eager to win and theyre eager to put their (effort) into the game ... anything I can do to help, Im just going to go out and play hard every day and Im sure well definitely see the tides turn." The speedy 27-year-old Fowler hit .263 with 18 doubles, 42 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 119 games last season. Fowler, a switch-hitter who primarily plays centre field, hit .300 in 2012. "One of our goals this off-season was to bring in an outfielder who can spark our offence," Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "Dexter is an exciting player who can help with the bat, with his legs, and with his glove." Fowler missed a big chunk of the last month of the season with an injured left knee, but said Tuesday that the problem was behind him. "Im awesome," he said. "Im healthy and ready to go." Fowler hasnt had any extended conversations with Luhnow, but expects to play centre field for the Astros next season and called the position "home." He isnt worried about navigating Tals Hill in centre field at Minute Maid Park. "I played in the biggest yard in major league baseball, sso I dont think anything is as challenging as Coors is," he said.dddddddddddd The Astros had the lowest payroll in the majors last season at less than $30 million. Houston owner Jim Crane said this off-season that he planned to start investing money into the payroll this season, and Tuesdays move is a sign that he was serious about that statement. Fowler is set to make $7.35 next season before he is eligible for arbitration in 2015. Fowler said he doesnt know any of the Astros players. He said he does know manager Bo Porter and is looking forward to playing for him. Fowler is spending this off-season in Salt Lake City and said hell train there until spring training because he and his wife are expecting their first child in January. "She cant travel," he said, "so neither can I." The 23-year-old Lyles was 7-9 with one save and a 5.59 ERA in 27 games -- 25 starts -- in 2013. He was a supplemental first-round pick by the Astros in 2008 and fills a need the Rockies have for a starting pitcher. Lyles made his debut at 20 and already has 65 career starts. He feels fortunate to have so much experience at such a young age. "Im going to continue to learn," he said. "Ill never stop trying to learn." But he does know that pitching at Coors Field wont be easy. "The park is obviously different," he said. "A lot of people dont like going there, but Im up for the challenge and I think its going to be fun." Barnes, also 27, hit .240 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs as a rookie last season. He also became known for his knack for hustling to make great catches in centre field. "Im excited for a new chapter and a new experience," Barnes said. "Ive always prided myself on how hard I work and I plan on working really hard there and being a part of the Rockies future and hopefully winning some championships." ' ' '