World Cup

France suffer Christopher Nkunku injury scare ahead of World Cup

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 November 2022

France and RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku limps out of training with an injury as Les Bleus prepare for the 2022 World Cup.

France attacker Christopher Nkunku has sustained an apparent injury during training as Les Bleus prepare for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The RB Leipzig man is one of 26 players to have been called up by Didier Deschamps, having shone for Die Roten Bullen over the past 15 months.

Nkunku and France took part in their final pre-flight training session at Clairefontaine on Tuesday, during which the 25-year-old was involved in a collision with Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga.

Both players challenged for the ball, and Nkunku came off worse, staying down and immediately grabbing his lower leg as teammates and coaches cut concerned figures around him.

Nkunku was helped to his feet by Deschamps before limping off with a grimace on his face alongside a staff member, and the Bleus crowd in attendance voiced their support for the attacker.

🇫🇷 Nkunku contraint de quitter l'entrainement des Bleus en boitant. pic.twitter.com/yJrL7yHP65
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) November 15, 2022

According to a report from RMC Sport, Nkunku is now set to undergo scans to determine the severity of his problem, which has not been described as anything more than a knock at present.

Nevertheless, the RB Leipzig man is said to be optimistic that he has avoided a serious injury and will be ready in time for France's World Cup opener with Australia on November 22.

Nkunku has two assists from eight senior appearances for France and has struck 12 Bundesliga goals in 15 outings this term, but he is still waiting for his first goal for the world champions.

Deschamps has already been forced into one injury-related change since naming his squad, with Presnel Kimpembe pulling out with an Achilles issue to be replaced by Axel Disasi.

Les Bleus will also take on Tunisia and Denmark in Group D, facing off against the Scandinavian nation on November 26 before battling Tunisia on November 30.