OLIVIER BERNARD admits his footballing ambition is to play for France.

The 25-year-old has established himself among the best left-backs in the Premiership during almost five years with Newcastle and has been in top form since joining Saints in January.

He has been named in several provisional French squads of 40 players, but has so far been overlooked when it has been narrowed down to 21.

Recent years have been among the best in French football history with Bixente Lizarazu having made the left-back spot his own.

But there is now a new generation of defenders, including Chelsea's William Gallas, Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre, Monaco's Patrick Evra and Lyon's Eric Abidal.

Bernard knows it will be a tough ask, but is hoping to impress France coach Raymond Domenech.

He said: "My first ambition is to play for France. To do that you have to be really good, there are a lot of very good players.

"You have to be one of the best at your position to play for France because it is one of the strongest squads in Europe.

"That's what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to work at it and I hope I will be in an international squad.

"I'm quite close, I've been in the pre-selection all the time but I never get selected. You get 40 players 20 days before and then ten days before when they name 21."