AlHijjah 8, 1435, Oct 2, 2014, SPA -- Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac has been rewarded for his early-season form with a call-up to France's national team for matches against Portugal and Armenia, AP reported. Gignac has scored eight goals in as many games to help Marseille to the top of the French league with six straight wins. Gignac, who was not part of France's World Cup squad, has scored five in his past three matches. "He interests me," France coach Didier Deschamps said Thursday. "It's a question of having competition for places." Gignac's fitness has vastly improved this season under coach Marcelo Bielsa, and Gignac is benefitting. "He's always scored goals, but the difference today is that he's very efficient and he's physically fit enough to keep going and going," Deschamps said. "He brings that something extra." Gignac has scored four goals in 17 appearances for France, and last played for the national team in a 0-0 draw against Georgia last September. Deschamps also recalled winger Dimitri Payet, Gignac's teammate, and Lyon right back Christophe Jallet. -- SPA 18:40 LOCAL TIME 15:40 GMT تغريد