France manager Didier Deschamps will have to work around the absence of Ousmane Dembele for Wednesday's final Euro 2020 group game against reigning champions Portugal.

The Barcelona attacker lasted just 30 minutes as a substitute against Hungary before succumbing to a knee injury, and he is now confirmed to be missing the rest of the tournament.

However, Dembele was never likely to earn a start up top in place of Karim Benzema or Kylian Mbappe, even though both attackers were guilty of wasting some gilt-edged chances in the recent draw with Hungary.

Antoine Griezmann scored Les Bleus' equaliser on the day and can now boast 11 goals at major tournaments for his country, which places him fourth in the list behind Michel Platini, Just Fontaine and Thierry Henry.

N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba should not drop out of the midfield, but Adrien Rabiot's spot is reportedly at risk as Corentin Tolisso hopes to be given the chance to impress in this crucial encounter.

Benjamin Pavard has been in the wars at Euro 2020 and was controversially cleared to play at the weekend after his head injury versus Germany, but Jules Kounde could push for a start if the Bayern Munich man is spared.

Kounde was reportedly tested in the right-back position by Deschamps in training, while Raphael Varane is expected to be given the all-clear to reprise his role alongside Presnel Kimpembe.

Lucas Digne was a surprise starter at left-back against Hungary, but Deschamps is expected to recall Lucas Hernandez back to the fold for Wednesday's game.

France possible starting lineup: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba, Tolisso; Griezmann; Mbappe, Benzema

> Click here to see how Portugal could line up for this clash

Written by
Ben Knapton