Arsenal’s William Saliba withdraws from France’s U.S. friendlies with ankle pain, Maxence Lacroix called up | OneFootball

Arsenal’s William Saliba has withdrawn from France’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States because of left ankle pain, with Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix called up to replace him.

The French Football Federation said in a statement that Saliba has recurring pain in his left ankle, needs treatment and at least 10 days of rest.

Saliba played 90 minutes in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday before the announcement.

Lacroix, 25, receives his first full France call-up, boosting his chances of featuring at this summer’s World Cup. He has made 43 appearances in all competitions for Palace this season, impressing under Oliver Glasner.

Saliba had been named in a larger-than-usual 27-man squad by head coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday.

France face Brazil in Foxborough, Massachusetts on 26 March, then Colombia in Landover, Maryland on 29 March.

The 2022 World Cup runners-up are in Group I at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, alongside Senegal, Norway and the inter-confederation play-off winners.

Source: NY Times