by Man United’s Raphael Varane ‘will be able to start for France against Denmark’ after overcoming a thigh injury… with manager Didier Deschamps also set to bring in Jules Kounde to replace Benjamin Pavard at right-back
Raphael Varane is reportedly set to start France’s World Cup tie against Denmark despite being out since late October.
The 29-year-old suffered a thigh injury in Manchester United’s draw with Chelsea on October 22 and hasn’t played a competitive game for over a month.
Didier Deschamps, however, has a decision to make over who will start at centre-back in their second group stage match after Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Australia.
Raphael Varane looks set for his first game in over a month when France take on Denmark
And French publication L’Equipe believe Varane is likely to start against Denmark in the crucial Group D game, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate falling to the bench.
Deschamps says the Man United man is ‘fit and ready’ for the match against Australia despite not taking part, and is now set to make his first Qatar appearance at Stadium 974 on Saturday .
It is also believed that Deschamps will make another change, replacing Benjamin Pavard at right-back with Barcelona’s Jules Kounde.
Bayern Munich defender Pavard was responsible for Craig Goodwin’s opening goal, although France managed to come back and claim victory with relative ease.
Barcelona’s Kounde replaced Pavard in the latter stages of Tuesday’s game, and it’s likely to be how the team will start against Denmark, who were held to a goalless draw with Tunisia in their match. opening.
Didier Deschamps is set to make two changes to the France squad that beat Australia 4-1
The other nine players are expected to remain the same for France as L’Equipe believe the current World Cup holders will retain their 4-3-3 form.
This includes goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Theo Hernandez at left-back and an attacking line-up consisting of Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.
Getting three points against Denmark will put France in a promising position to qualify from Group D, with a third group stage game against Tunisia on Wednesday.
Eleven rumors from France for Denmark on Saturday: Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
Benjamin Pavard is set to miss on Saturday after his mistake led to Australia’s goal on Tuesday
