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.”