Kylian Mbappe injury update: Deschamps plays down fitness concerns around Real Madrid star

France boss Didier Deschamps has played down any lingering fears regarding the ankle injury sustained by Kylian Mbappe at the weekend.

Mbappe limped off late on in Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday and reports suggested he could be out of action for up to 10 days.

That would place his participation in France’s upcoming doubleheader against Azerbaijan and Iceland in doubt but Deschamps says he is confident it is nothing to worry about.

Speaking today, the former Juventus coach said: “There are always injuries before the squad list is announced, and there can be some after as well. I don’t have any further information at the moment since the players are due to arrive around 4pm. We’ll assess the situation then. Regardless of the player or the club he comes from, he had a minor issue, but nothing prohibitive – otherwise he wouldn’t be here today.”

France hoping for swift passage to World Cup finals

Deschamps will be desperately hoping his captain will be fit for the two matches as Les Bleus seek to qualify as early as possible for next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

France will advance if they beat Azerbaijan in Paris and follow it up with another three points in Reykjavik and the game between closest challengers Iceland and Ukraine ends in a draw.

Deschamps accepts he will have to rotate his squad given the enormous demands placed on the players in the past few weeks.

He added: “The observation is that for the vast majority, they arrive tired. They have had three matches in the past week due to the Champions League. Today and tomorrow will be focused on recovery. 

“We only have three days between the two matches, I will have to distribute the playing time a little more over the two matches, compared to September. 

“Young or not young, they are there and they are all able to start or come on, taking into account the situation of each game. I’m not here to take risks and I always take their feelings into account.”

Deschamps hails magic Michael Olise

One player Deschamps is particularly excited to work with again is Michael Olise, who continues to shine at Bayern Munich.

The former Crystal Palace midfielder is now among Bayern’s most influential players and has been linked with a move to Liverpool.

Deschamps said of the 23-year-old Londoner: “He is reserved, shy, which is partially linked to the language barrier as he has a better command of English than French but he works on that.

“What is important is what he does on the field, with his game and his left foot that leads him to be very often decisive. He is not looking for the limelight, he is not a good for the media, but he has enormous potential. 

“He is professional, follows protocols outside of sessions. Everything is right to allow him to have a lot of confidence.”