The Sunderland squad currently boasts three French players with international experience - Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Djibril Cisse.

But none of the trio have been regulars in the French side and Chimbonda is hoping a good season for Sunderland might change that.

He said: "I have not been in the French squad since the 2006 World Cup and maybe that will not change until the manager changes.

"I do not know.

"But maybe if I play well for Sunderland and Sunderland have a good season then it might be different.

"Certainly we are at a good club and in a good division to get noticed because the Premier League is one of the best leagues there is and as a defender you are constantly coming up against top players.

"So I think everyone at this club knows that if they play well for Sunderland it can really help them in other ways, like their international careers"

France take on Romania this weekend in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Eastern Europe and Chimbonda would dearly love to be involved in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He said: "Playing for your country is a great honour and I would love to play for France again.

"But we will have to wait and see what happens.

"For now, I am focused on Sunderland and trying to be as successful as I can be with Sunderland."

The 29-year-old has not given up on an international recall, despite having picked up only the one cap so far in his career.

Steed Malbranque has not been included in a French squad since 2004. Cisse was a provisional member of the current French squad going to Romania but was not called into the final squad for this weekend's game.