Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike set for France recall | OneFootball

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is expected to be called up by France national team manager Didier Deschamps for the October international break, according to Le Parisien. Deschamps will announce his latest squad on Thursday. France will continue their campaign to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Les Bleus are currently top of their Group D after defeating Ukraine and Iceland. They will host Azerbaijan on Friday, October 10, before taking on Iceland at Reykjavik, three days later.

Deschamps has several conundrums to solve, including the absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni through suspension, but the Real Madrid midfielder won’t be the only key France player to miss out. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé is sidelined with a hamstring injury, whereas his PSG teammate Désiré Doué won’t be rushed back. Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki is not expected to be called up, given that he is yet to resume competition with Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens.

When Cherki dropped out of the squad, Deschamps opted to give Hugo Ekitike his first call-up. The Liverpool striker’s form has not dipped with the Reds, so he’s expected to be recalled again. RMC Sport adds that the former Reims striker made a good impression during his first stint with France. Kingsley Coman will also make his return to Clairefontaine. The former Bayern Munich winger linked up with Les Bleus when Dembélé and Doué picked up injuries against Ukraine. Coman has hit the ground running with Al-Nassr with two goals and four assists.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval