Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been withdrawn from the France squad ahead of Thursday's Euro 2024 qualifier at home against Republic of Ireland due to injury.

The 24-year-old, who was initially called up to Didier Deschamps's 23-man squad, missed Liverpool's last two Premier League games due to a hamstring problem and he has since been replaced by Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo in the national team squad.

Chelsea's Wesley Fofana also is ruled out with a long-term knee injury, and midfield duo N'Golo Kante – now at Al-Ittihad – and Paul Pogba of Juventus are two other notable absentees from Deschamps's squad, but Bayern Munich's Lucas Hernandez has been recalled for the first time since suffering an ACL injury in France's opening group game at the 2022 World Cup.

Mike Maignan is expected to win the goalkeeper battle with Alphonse Areola and Brice Samba, while either Todibo, William Saliba or Axel Disasi could start at centre-back alongside Dayot Upamecano, with Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez potentially retaining their spots at full-back.

Adrien Rabiot missed the last international break through injury, but he is available for selection this time around and should compete with Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga for a start in centre-midfield; Youssouf Fofana and Boubacar Kamara could also be handed minutes in the middle of the pitch at some stage.

At the ripe age of 36, Olivier Giroud could lead the line, while Paris Saint-Germain trio Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani will all be hoping to make their mark at Parc des Princes. Antoine Griezmann is also in contention to start in attack along with Kingsley Coman, who is seeking to earn his 50th international cap.

France possible starting lineup: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Camavinga; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

Written by
Oliver Thomas