France have been handed injury concerns with Kylian Mbappe and Raphael Varane ahead of Monday's UEFA Nations League showdown with Croatia in League A Group 1.

Mbappe was taken off at half time in Friday's defeat to Denmark after picking up a knee injury, while Varane left the field just after the hour mark with a hamstring issue.

Assistant manager Guy Stephan - stepping in for the mourning Didier Deschamps - will therefore expect to be working without the pair here, leaving Presnel Kimpembe and William Saliba to battle it out to start at the back.

Saliba replaced Varane against Denmark but drew criticism for his cameo as the Scandinavian side stormed to a late victory, so Kimpembe could get the nod to join Jules Kounde and Lucas Hernandez in front of Mike Maignan, who will reportedly act as the last line of defence here.

Jonathan Clauss will also hope to be given the chance to showcase his abilities from right-wing back amid the hectic schedule, with Theo Hernandez expected to continue out on the left.

N'Golo Kante was one of the few France players who left with their heads held high on Friday, but the Chelsea man may also be in need of a rest as Adrien Rabiot steps in alongside Aurelien Tchouameni.

Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema will wait patiently to find out their new attacking partner in the absence of Mbappe, whose spot should be filled by Christopher Nkunku as Wissam Ben Yedder warms the bench.

France possible starting lineup: Maignan; Kimpembe, L. Hernandez, Kounde; Clauss, Tchouameni, Rabiot, T. Hernandez; Griezmann; Benzema, Nkunku

Written by
Ben Knapton