Mbappe included in France squad despite injury concern

Kylian Mbappe has been included in the France squad despite being a doubt for Paris Saint-Germain's next game due to a hamstring injury.

The 21-year-old attacker sat out PSG's 2-1 Champions League loss to RB Leipzig on Wednesday with a muscular problem sustained against Nantes last weekend.

Thomas Tuchel said the issue was "very minor" and Mbappe was due to be reassessed on Thursday ahead of Saturday's home Ligue 1 game against Rennes.

Reports had suggested Mbappe could be forced to miss that game and France's upcoming friendly with Finland and Nations League clashes against Portugal and Sweden, but Didier Deschamps included him in his 26-man squad.

November 5, 2020

"Today there is no certainty that he cannot be available," Deschamps said when asked about Mbappe's inclusion.

"If I put him in the list today, it is because it is very likely he will be available to face Portugal on Saturday. If all goes well, he should be there.

"I understand the position of club coaches. There is no conflict to be had with anyone. Interests may diverge between those who are tired or have injury doubts.

"I have never taken any risks with anyone. We have the same interest with this player, whether it's Kylian or someone else, but there is no conflict.

"I'm not against Tuchel. He has to manage his matches with the obligations of results, like me with the France team."

Mbappe responded to news of his selection by tweeting a photo of himself in a France shirt with the caption "blessed", which when translated to French sounds similar to the word used for injured.

November 5, 2020

Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram was handed a first call-up to the senior team, while Dayot Upamecano and Ferland Mendy were left out.

"I've been following him for a while. He does good things. He has the ability to create differences. He scores and assists and has this ability in big games to be very present and good," said Deschamps of Thuram.

Teenage midfielder Eduardo Camavinga missed out through injury and there was no place for Houssem Aouar.

France squad:

Benoit Costil (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mike Maignan (Lille); Lucas Digne (Everton), Leo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea); N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Steven Nzonzi (Rennes), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich); Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Nabil Fekir (Real Betis), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach).