France are reportedly likely to be without Kylian Mbappe for Friday's Euro 2024 fixture against Netherlands.
Les Bleus' star man featured against Austria on Monday night, helping his side come through their Group D opener with a 1-0 victory.
However, it came at a cost as the 25-year-old sustained a broken nose in a collision with Kevin Danso during the closing stages of the contest in Dusseldorf.
Covered in blood, the new Real Madrid attacker would need to be substituted, and coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged after the contest that the forward was 'not doing well'.
The French Football Association have since confirmed that Mbappe would be fitted with a mask in order to try to participate in the remainder of the tournament.
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Mbappe likely to miss Netherlands game
Nevertheless, The Sun claims that Mbappe is unlikely to be available for selection when the 2022 World Cup runners-up face Netherlands on Friday.
While a mask is expected to be fitted as soon as possible, there may be aspects of the recovery that cannot be completed in time for the next fixture.
That said, the same report indicates that Mbappe could be involved against Poland just four days later, potentially dependent on whether France need a result to progress.
Furthermore, that is also providing it is not determined Mbappe requires any kind of an operation, which would naturally put his participation in considerable doubt.
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Do France need to take any risks with Mbappe?
Having defeated Austria on Monday night, the likelihood is that France realistically only require one more point to guarantee their last-16 spot.
Deschamps will want to qualify as group winners, though, particularly to extend the recovery time for Mbappe with France likely to have at least two days extra preparation time for a last-16 game if they finish first or second in Group D.
Olivier Giroud and Randal Kolo Muani are also on standby to deputise for Mbappe, while Marcus Thuram can play down the middle if required.
Darren Plant
![France's Kylian Mbappe pictured on June 17, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "France's Kylian Mbappe pictured on June 17, 2024 [IMAGO]")
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