Mbappe to miss Italy clash but France captain could face Turkiye

Kylian Mbappe will miss France's Nations League clash with Italy, though the forward could return in time to face Turkiye on Sunday.

Les Bleus are top of Nations League Group A1 with 10 points from four matches, having made a strong start to Zinedine Zidane's tenure after 14 years under Didier Deschamps.

Mbappe only played in the first of those matches, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory in Turkiye, before a hamstring issue forced him to return to Real Madrid.

He has played eight games for Los Blancos since then, plundering nine goals including a brace in the first Clasico of the season, as Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou.

But now, the France captain has complained of discomfort in his thigh, and Zidane does not intend to take any risks with his fitness at San Siro on Thursday. 

"Kylian will be out tomorrow. He felt a little pain," Zidane told reporters. "As usual, we will take zero risks. 

"These are unfortunate things, but they are part of the game. I hope we can have him back on Sunday. 

"I think he's okay. The proof is that he will stay with us. He's not happy, he would have liked to play tomorrow, but we can't take any risks because the season is long.

"I select players, and sometimes, what happens, happens. During this period, in November, with the league and the Champions League, you have to accept it. 

"It is regrettable. As a coach it's horrible, but you have no choice."

Mbappe's absence comes after Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Aurelien Tchouameni, William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix and Manu Kone were already sidelined.

But Zidane is choosing to remain upbeat, viewing France's selection issues as an opportunity for others to stake their claim – including Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi.

Kroupi was called up as a late replacement following Thuram's withdrawal, having recently returned from a foot injury to make four appearances off the bench for the Cherries.

"Kroupi joined us this morning. He trained and we immediately saw his quality. The new players are adapting very well and showing that they deserve to be there," Zidane said. 

"In terms of starting a match... We'll see. He is with us. The idea is that he is with us as part of the group. 

"We know what he went through, but now he is available. We'll manage him, but we know his qualities. In a moment like this one, he is here and he is available."

Paris Saint-Germain's Senny Mayulu has also been called up to Zidane's squad. Mayulu, Kroupi, Pablo Pagis, Sael Kumbedi and Robin Risser are the five uncapped players in Les Bleus' party.