The Prague Post - Mbappe to have 'small niggle' examined at France camp: Deschamps

The France captain sustained the knock at the end of Real Madrid's 3-1 La Liga victory over Villarreal on Saturday, casting doubts over his availability to the national team for their upcoming qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

"I spoke with Kylian, he had a small niggle but it's not serious, otherwise he wouldn't be here today," Deschamps told reporters at the French team's Clairefontaine base near Paris.

"We will take the time with the medical staff to assess the situation and then see how it develops.

"I don't have any further information at this stage as the players will be arriving around 4pm (1400 GMT), so we'll take stock (then) as usual," he added.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is also due to undergo tests, after coming off injured in the Reds' 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.

Later, the French football federation (FFF) confirmed Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola would be sent home from Clairefontaine due to a hamstring injury.

"After consulting with the French national team doctor... (Barcola) has been diagnosed with a chronic injury to his right hamstring since Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match against Atalanta (on September 17)," the FFF said.

The news adds to PSG's injury woes as Barcola joins fellow France forwards Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, as well as clubmates Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves on the treatment table.

Les Bleus are top of their group with two wins from two so far in qualifying. They host Azerbaijan on Friday at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium before travelling to Iceland three days later.

Q.Pilar--TPP