The untimely injury blow that could hamper Sunderland star's World Cup hopes | OneFootball

Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele has been out for several weeks with a calf problem, an ill-timed setback that could affect his bid to force a France recall for this summer’s World Cup, according to L’Equipe.

The 28-year-old has excelled in his debut Premier League season, a mainstay of Regis Le Bris’ defence at right-back and centre-half.

He has not featured since the 3-1 home defeat to Fulham in February and is racing to be fit for Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby at Newcastle United.

Le Bris said: “Nordi is getting better, we'll see for next week. It's always the same: you can take the risk, he might play against Newcastle, but if we lose him for eight weeks after, it doesn't make sense. We are always on the edge so we'll try to manage the situation properly.”

The report adds that Didier Deschamps faces a full-back dilemma, with preferred option Jules Kounde not fit for this month’s internationals. Pierre Kalulu could be drafted for friendlies against Brazil and Colombia, and with OGC Nice veteran Jonathan Clauss seemingly out of the picture, Mukiele may yet have a chance of making Les Bleus’ travelling party for the North American World Cup if others suffer setbacks, though missing this window will not help.

Source: Sunderland Echo