France lineup vs. Italy: Predicted XI for UEFA Nations League match, with Mbappe's replacement to be decided

After wrapping up qualification for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals in midweek, France will close out their League A Group 2 campaign on Sunday, when they visit Italy at San Siro.

Once again, captain and star striker Kylian Mbappe will be missing from Les Bleus' lineup, as his break from national-team duty continues amid speculation surrounding his relationship with coach Didier Deschamps.

The latter is also without the injured quartet of Loic Bade, Wesley Fofana, Ousmane Dembele and Mbappe's Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.

Back on familiar territory in Milan, goalkeeper Mike Maignan will start behind a back four that could feature Inter Milan's Benjamin Pavard, who has returned to the set-up following struggles with form and fitness.

Jules Kounde and Jonathan Clauss are also vying for selection right-back, while Premier League pair Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba may be partnered at the heart of the French defence - Dayot Upamecano started against Israel on Thursday, though.

AC Milan star Theo Hernandez has picked up a knock so Aston Villa's Lucas Digne is set to start at left-back, while N'Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot - both back in the squad this month - are battling it out with Eduardo Camavinga to feature in midfield. Italy-based duo Manu Kone and Matteo Guendouzi are alternatives for Deschamps, who always has a wide range of options to choose from.

Making up for Mbappe's absence, Randal Kolo Muani has scored four goals in his last five France appearances, but after firing a blank in midweek he may now make way for Inter striker Marcus Thuram.

Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman and Christopher Nkunku are all contenders for three other places in the final third, while Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery could also occupy a more advanced role.

France possible starting lineup: Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Olise, Nkunku, Coman; Thuram

> Click here to see how Italy could line up for this UEFA Nations League contest