Didier Deschamps: 'Karim Benzema must be himself at World Cup'

France coach Didier Deschamps has told Karim Benzema to "be himself" at the World Cup.

The Real Madrid striker is expected to play a key part out in Brazil for Les Bleus, who have been pitted with Ecuador, Honduras and Switzerland in Group E.

With added pressure now on Benzema following Franck Ribery's withdrawal from the squad through injury, Deschamps wants the forward to just play his natural game.

"It would serve no purpose to ask more of Karim," he is quoted as saying by Goal.com. "When you are trying to score at all costs, any player can lose some of their natural instinct.

"He must play like he can do and does at Real Madrid. You know Karim; when he scores he is very happy.

"I just want him to be himself. When he is at the peak of his abilities, of course he is a player who pulls the whole team up."

France play their final warm-up game tonight when they face Jamaica in Lille.