Kylian Mbappe likely to MISS Netherlands clash with broken nose despite France bid to get special mask made
KYLIAN MBAPPE is unlikely to face the Netherlands in France’s crunch Group D clash on Friday.
The French captain, 25, suffered a broken nose against Austria on Monday night following a collision with defender Kevin Danso.
France‘s medical team are quickly having a mask made for their talisman in order to get him back playing – though he is not expected to be available for Friday’s game in Leipzig.
With both Les Bleus and the Netherlands having won their opening games it is effectively a shootout for top spot in Group D.
There is some hope the Real Madrid-bound forward will return for their final group game vs Poland.
Mbappe, whose cross forced the winner against Austria – an own goal by Maximilian Wober, rejoined his teammates at their Paderborn base following examinations at University Hospital Dusseldorf.
The new Real Madrid man has not required surgery at this stage, though France’s medical team will continue to monitor him.
In a statement, France said: “Kylian Mbappe returns to the base camp of the French national team.
“Kylian Mbappe suffered a broken nose during the second part of the Austria-France held this Monday in Dusseldorf.
“The captain of France was treated first by the medical staff and Dr. Franck Le Gall, who diagnosed him with a nose fracture.
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“Mbappe will receive treatment in the next few days, but he will not undergo surgery in the immediate future.
“A mask will be made for him so that the number 10 of the French national team can prepare for his return to the competition after a period dedicated to treatment.”
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Mbappe reacted to the injury on social media on Monday night,saying: “Any ideas for masks ?”
The French star was previously gifted a Ninja Turtles mask by PSG team-mate Thiago Silva in a nod to his nickname “Donatello”.
Boss Didier Deschamps said: “The national squad will always be stronger with Kylian. But if the news does not go along these lines we will have to fight without him.
“But Kylian is Kylian and every team is stronger with him in it.”
France will train behind closed doors at their Paderborn Arena base on Tuesday afternoon.
Danso, the former Southampton defender who clashed heads with Mbappe to cause the injury, has apologised to French supporters for the incident.
Posting on social media, Danso said: “To French supporters: I am sorry that Kylian Mbappe was injured during our duel.
“I wish him a good recovery and I hope he can quickly find his place on the pitch.”
French Football Federation president, Philippe Diallo, said: “There have been a number of reviews, they have come to quick conclusions.
“They made sure to limit the consequences of the fracture that he could have. There is no surgery planned in the short term, we are awaiting the latest developments during the day for the conditions of Kylian’s participation in the rest of the tournament.
“There have been a number of reviews, they have come to quick conclusions.
“They made sure to limit the consequences of the fracture that he could have. There is no surgery planned in the short term, we are awaiting the latest developments during the day for the conditions of Kylian’s participation in the rest of the tournament.”