'Evra has France in his blood' - Le Graet

The FFF chief believes that the Manchester United defender is an invaluable member of Didier Deschamps' team due to his winning mentality and influence

French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has heaped praise upon Patrice Evra in the wake of les Bleus' 4-2 win over Belarus on Tuesday.

Didier Deschamps' men twice trailed to the minnows but an impressive second-half performance seured a vital victory.

Franck Ribery, who netted twice in Gomel, was quick to hail the influence of the Manchester United left-back's half-time team talk and Le Graet has praised the 32-year-old's commitment to the cause.

"I was not there, however I heard that Evra, even if he was not in the starting line-up, was very close to his team-mates at the half-time break and spoke to them," he told reporters.

"He reassured them, which is the most important thing in these moments.

"Then, Didier changed the system after the break. Apart from what happened a few years ago, we know Evra loves the national team.

"He is a winner. He is a regular with Manchester United. He captained the team as well.

"It's nothing. He just has this bad reputation, aggravated by some so-called sports specialists but he is a great man. He has the national team in his blood and he wants to do well."