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| Kylian Mbappe sports a mask in training on Sunday. Could the France captain play against Poland on Tuesday? © FRANCK FIFE / AFP |
Kylian Mbappé is hoping to return to Euro 2024 in France's clash against Poland on Tuesday, head coach Didier Deschamps said.
Mbappé suffered a broken nose in France's opener against Austria, causing him to miss their second match against Netherlands as he got to grips with a custom-made mask.
However, the France forward played in a behind-closed-doors friendly a day later, scoring two and registering two assists, and Deschamps told a news conference on Monday that Mbappé is ready to return.
"It's better every day," Deschamps said. "He was in our training sessions. The bruise has gone down a lot. He's getting used to the mask.
"He wants to play, he's raring to go. He wanted to play against the Netherlands and he wants to play tomorrow."
He added: "No problems with breathing but the way he sees yes. For those who play with a mask, it's not a constraint but it does limit your vision. He wears it because he needs to protect his face in certain incidents that could occur.
France missed Mbappé's clinical nature in their draw to the Netherlands as they struggled to convert a number of chances. Deschamps said he hopes the forward can put that right on Tuesday.
"To be honest, I forgot that he was wearing a mask [in training]," Deschamps said. "He was great, decisive, dangerous -- he played really well in the training session.
"I hope that will reflect on the pitch tomorrow."
Without referring to anyone specifically, Deschamps said he hadn't yet "got the go-ahead from the medical team" when it came to selecting his starting lineup, though.
"I need to chat with different players, let's say," Deschamps said, smiling again.
A bigger clue was perhaps given by one of Mbappé's teammates.
"We all know what Kylian's qualities are," midfielder N'Golo Kante said. "The reasons we weren't able to hit the back of the net maybe was a lack of efficiency and maybe the fact that Kylian will be here tomorrow will help us score goals and win the game.
"It is a huge advantage to have him on the team."
Kante said Mbappé was "great, decisive and dangerous" in practice on Sunday.
"I think he feels well," Kante added, "and I hope this translates on the pitch tomorrow."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
- ESPN News Services
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