Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is awaiting final diagnosis on a hamstring injury threatening his World Cup but early indications are that the problem isn’t bad as first feared.
Varane suffered the injury during the second half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The France international was visibly distraught as he limped off the field amid fears his hopes of playing in next month’s World Cup were over.
United and Varane are awaiting definitive news on the extent of the injury, but initial tests have shown that the problem is not as bad as originally feared.
If the early indications are verified by follow-up examinations, Varane may still have a chance of being fit for the World Cup, though it is clear he is in a race against time to prove his fitness.
Deschamps has already been hampered with injuries ahead of the tournament, with star midfielder N’Golo Kante perhaps being the biggest omission, having undergone surgery on his hamstring last week.
Several other players are also doubts for Les Blues, including Boubacar Kamara, Paul Pogba, Lucas Digne and Lucas Hernandez.
The omission of Varane would be a huge blow for Deschamps, despite having a high-quality stock of centre backs in the form of William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano, who could step up in Varane’s absence.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
