Mbappé moving in ‘right direction’ for France return against Netherlands
Forward broke his nose in Group D win over AustriaMbappé wore mask on return to full training on Thursday
Didier Deschamps has suggested Kylian Mbappé could feature against the Netherlands on Friday, in a surprise turn of events after the France captain suffered a broken nose against Austria on Monday. Mbappé has not required surgery and while doubts remain over his involvement in the rest of the group stage, Deschamps insists “everything is going in the right direction”.
The France manager confirmed a custom-made mask will be fitted so that Mbappé can return but it is unclear if he will risk his captain. Mbappe was limited to non-contact exercises at training on Wednesday but trained again on Thursday before France’s meeting with the Netherlands in Leipzig. The Real Madrid forward wore a mask in his country’s tricolour colours and emblazoned with his initials.