France boss Didier Deschamps is not expecting an apology from Karim Benzema before recalling him to the national team but believes it is still not the right time for the Real Madrid striker to return.
Benzema, 28, was omitted from France's Euro 2016 squad this summer after being charged with conspiracy to blackmail as part of an investigation into an alleged attempt to extort money from his former international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
The ex-Lyon forward responded before the tournament began by accusing Deschamps, 47, of bowing to pressure from a "racist part of France."
Benzema has been troubled by a back injury of late but Deschamps made clear on Thursday that he would have overlooked the striker anyway ahead of France's games against Italy and Belarus.
"He's been available for selection for a while," Deschamps said after unveiling his squad for next month's matches.
"He was available for selection for the Euros so his status hasn't changed.
"I didn't select him for the Euros. He was available for selection, like he is still available for selection today. But it's up to me to select him or not."
Benzema's comments about Deschamps in an interview with Marca did not go down well but Deschamps said it would not prevent him recalling him in future.
"His declarations... he's not the only one," Deschamps said.
"They have the freedom to express themselves. As regards the content of his remarks, there were certain things where he was a little off topic.
"But that's happened to others in the past and that doesn't prevent me from recalling them or that they might return to the French team.
"I have nothing to ask of Karim or another player.
"I'm going to be honest with you -- even if he had been available today, I wouldn't have picked him for this squad because I don't think it's the time for him to return to the French team."