James Copnall BBC Sport, Abidjan

Kalou wanted to play for the Dutch national team

Ivory Coast have named Salomon Kalou in their squad for Tuesday's friendly against Guinea in France.

German coach Ulrich Stielike has every hope the Chelsea striker will finally make his international debut.

Kalou previously turned his back on Ivory Coast, and attempted to rush through naturalization for Holland, where he began his professional career.

But Stielike told the BBC he thought this time Kalou would play for the land of his birth.

"I have no fears about that," Kalou said.

"I think he has a lot of desire to play for Ivory Coast."

Kalou has missed call-ups in the past, including for the Elephants' last friendly match, against Sweden.

Stielike is not worried.

"Last time was justified because he was injured - he wasn't playing for Chelsea at the time," the coach explained.

"When I talked to him before that, he said he was ready to come to play for Ivory Coast.

"I think this is a new opportunity for him, and he is playing a lot for Chelsea now."

However the German coach said he hadn't spoken to Kalou recently.

Salomon's older brother Bonaventure, a former national team captain, is one of the big names left out of the 18-man squad.

Others include the Arsenal right back Emmanuel Eboue, who is recovering from injury, the diminutive Nice striker Bakari Kone, who has not scored much this season, and the Nantes midfielder Emerse Fae.

There is also no place for the stars of Asec Mimosas' thrilling 2006 African Champions League campaign, Didier Ya Konan and Bakary Soro, even though both moved to European clubs in the transfer window.

The friendly against Guinea will be played in Rouen.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Beveren, Belgium), Gerard Gnanhouan (Creteil, France)

Defenders: Arthur Boka (Stuttgart, Germany), Steve Gohouri (Monchengladbach, Germany), Abdoulaye Meite (Bolton), Kolo Toure (Arsenal, England), Siaka Tiene (Reims, France)

Midfielders: Didier Zokora (Tottenham, England), Gilles Yapi Yapo (Young Boys Berne, Switzerland), Yaya Toure (Monaco, France), Romaric N'dri (Le Mans, France), Kader Keita (Lille, France), Guy Demel (Hamburg, Germany)