Robert Pires says Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte deserves a France call.

However, the World Cup winner admits he can understand why Laporte is being forced to wait.

He told bwin: "Laporte is a very good defender and has earned his new contract at Manchester City after performing so well this season. There's no doubt in my mind that he deserves to play for the France national team, but he doesn't make the squad and that's hard to believe sometimes.

"It is not easy for [Didier] Deschamps because France have a lot of great players and Laporte faces competition from the likes of [Raphael] Varane and [Samuel] Umtiti so it will always be difficult. I think Laporte just needs to remain positive and keep working then he will make the France national team. He can't be ignored for much longer."