N'Golo Kante, Lucas Hernandez withdraw from France squad

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante and Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez have both withdrawn from the France squad ahead of Monday's Nations League clash with Croatia.

The injury-plagued Kante missed out entirely in Friday's draw with Austria, and it has since been announced that the 31-year-old has picked up a knee problem.

Kante leaves the camp having made just one Nations League appearance this month - playing the full 90 of the opening loss to Denmark before sitting out the Austria and Croatia draws.

Meanwhile, centre-back Hernandez has travelled back home for the birth of his child, and the 26-year-old is also unavailable for the fourth League A Group 1 fixture.

Hernandez's withdrawal boosts Ibrahima Konate's chances of another start on Monday night after the Liverpool man made his debut for Les Bleus against Ralf Rangnick's Austria.

The defending world and Nations League champions sit rock bottom of their section having taken just two points from nine on offer so far.

Written by
Ben Knapton