Olympique Lyon chief Bernard Lacombe says it's time for Karim Benzema to be recalled to the France team.

The Real Madrid striker has been ignored since April 2016 after becoming embroiled in an alleged blackmail plot.

But Lacombe believes it's time for Benzema to be recalled.

"If Benzema is ready to return to France? Yes I think so," he told RMC.

"When you play nine years at Real Madrid, which is one of the biggest clubs in the world, I am surprised that this player is removed from the France team. I do not want to talk about these things because they are too serious."