Didier Deschamps issues Kylian Mbappe injury update after scare before France vs Spain clash | OneFootball

Striker is recovering from an ankle problem and trained separately on Monday

Didier Deschamps insists Kylian Mbappe is fully fit for France’s World Cup semi-final clash with Spain, despite reports in France suggesting he is still struggling with an ankle injury.

The Real Madrid striker has either scored or assisted eleven of France’s 16 goals at the tournament thus far, and concerns were sparked when he came off with an issue late in the last-16 defeat of Morocco.

He hobbled off with 13 minutes of normal time left to play after taking a knock to his ankle in a heavy tackle

Mbappe described himself as “completely fine” at in a post-match interview, but reports in France claim he is still carrying pain in that right ankle, which saw him train separately on Monday.

He is said to be prepared to play through the pain, with his place in the starting lineup assured.

Deschamps remains adamant, though, that he is fully fit and prepared to lead the line as Les Bleus look to secure their place in a third consecutive World Cup final.

Speaking from his pre-match press conference, Deschamps was definitive: “Kylian (Mbappé) is doing well. He is at 100 per cent. We can’t go beyond 100. He is at 100 per cent.”

There remain concerns in midfield, too, as the France boss revealed Aurelien Tchouameni is not yet fully fit.

Kylian Mbappe wore an ice pack on his ankle after coming off against Morocco...

AFP via Getty Images

...and trained separately on Monday despite Didier Deschamps claiming he is fully fit

Getty

He suffered a thigh injury in the last-32 victory over Sweden and has not featured since. He returned to training this week, but does not appear to be ready in time to face Spain.

Manu Kone will be top choice to deputise, but the Roma man is also carrying a knock from the Morocco match, where he was withdrawn with an apparent knee issue 20 minutes from time.

France have been the standard bearers so far at this World Cup, with their versatile, free-flowing attack ripping every attack it faced limb from limb, but despite that Deschamps was adamant Spain are the favourites in this match, which will take place on Bastille Day.

“Not to put pressure on Spain or their coach, but they are the favourites,” he said. “Apart from the game against Cape Verde, they have shown that they are a great team and what they are capable of.”