Christopher Nkunku is set to be sidelined for longer than first feared after a knee injury, with the RB Leipzig man not expected to play again until February.
The Frenchman was called up to the Les Blues squad for the upcoming World Cup, which begins on Sunday, but was forced to withdraw after a tackle in training from compatriot Eduardo Camavinga.
🇫🇷 Nkunku contraint de quitter l’entrainement des Bleus en boitant. pic.twitter.com/yJrL7yHP65
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) November 15, 2022
And, having limped out of training, the RB Leipzig man later had to abdicate from taking any part in the tournament in Qatar, with Randal Kolo-Muani being called up to replace him.
Though only expected to miss a short amount of time, German outlet Bild report that the injury to his knee is more serious than first feared. They report that Nkunku has suffered ligament in his knee, which will see him sidelined for around two and a half months.
With the Frenchman strongly linked with a move to Chelsea in January, that could throw a spanner in the works for the Blues, with Nkunku unlikely to be back before the end of the winter transfer window.
For France, meanwhile, it is yet another injury to one of their stars. Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were already both ruled out ahead of the tournament, while Presnel Kimpembe was forced to pull out due to lack of fitness.
