Mixed news for virus-hit France on the eve of the World Cup final as first-choice centre backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate ‘are cleared to return to the squad and train but winger Kingsley Coman is still isolating in his hotel room’
French centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate have reportedly been cleared to return to the squad in a huge boost for the World Cup final.
Players are returning to action for France just at the right time after a virus outbreak that hit the squad ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Argentina.
L’Equipe, as per Get France Football, have now reported that the two centre-backs who started the semi-final against Morocco have joined back up with the squad for lunch and are expected to train tonight.
Raphael Varane will return to training on Saturday following an illness in the French camp
Adrien Rabiot (left) and Dayot Upamecano (right) missed the semi-final due to the illness and are also back in action with Ibrahima Konate – one day before the final in Qatar with Argentina
The pair had missed training over the last two days, along with Kingsley Coman due to illness.
L’Equipe though say that Coman is still in his hotel room making him a doubt for tomorrow’s game.
Meanwhile, RMC Sport have reported that Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano are also back in action, after they missed the semi-final with the illness.
Inside the French camp, in a bid to avoid the virus spreading further, coaching staff and the squad are wearing masks around the infected players.
Kingsley Coman is said to be still in his hotel room so is a potential doubt for the final
There is also said to be no major concerns for Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez who both trained in the gym on Friday after suffering hip and knee knocks respectively.
It’s said there is more confidence that Tchouameni – who scored one of the goals that knocked out England in the quarter-finals – is going to be fine than Hernandez.
Speaking about the virus, manager Didier Deschamps said: ‘We are trying to manage this as best as we can and remain calm and focused.
‘We are doing our best to take precautions and adapt and live with it without going too far but doing what is necessary. We would have preferred not to face this but are managing it as best as we can.’
The French camp have put the sickness bug down to the air conditioning in Qatar that is being used to keep players, staff and fans cool in the blistering heat.
Didier Deschamps’ side have had to take extra precaution to stop the virus spreading further
They are not the first team to complain about this, after Brazil and Manchester United star Antony also raised the issue and the affect it was having on his side earlier in the tournament.
Meanwhile, fans have also complained about air conditioning inside the tournament’s various stadiums, revealing that they have had to wear jumpers to keep warm when attending matches.
Striker Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to score France’s second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: ‘There’s a little flu that’s been spreading but nothing serious. They’ll be well soon and be ready for Sunday.’
A French press officer added: ‘As you know, Randal is not a doctor, we will communicate about it later.’
Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to be fine despite doing gym work only on Friday
Kolo Muani said the players who fell ill had been isolated.
‘Those who are sick stay in their room, they’re being taken care of by the doctors and we’ve been enforcing social distancing. We’re very strict about it,’ he said.
Forward Ousmane Dembele said: ‘We’re not scared of that virus. Dayot and Adrien got a bit of a stomach ache, I made them a ginger and honey tea and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.
‘Dayot got better and I think everyone will be ready. We’ve been taking precautions. The first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and he was back with everyone the next day.’
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