Didier Deschamps leaves three massive players out of France squad including Kylian Mbappe
Didier Deschamps has left three of his most trusted players out of his latest France squad as they prepare to face Israel and Belgium later this month.
France take on Israel in a Nations League clash at the Bozsik Arena in Hungary on October 10, due to ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict that has recently spread to neighbouring nations including Lebanon.
France will then travel to face Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on October 14.
But they will be without Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, who has been left out of France's squad for both games.
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The 25-year-old has been omitted by Deschamps to aid his recovery from a thigh injury.
Mbappe suffered the injury in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Alaves on September 24 and was initially expected to miss around three weeks of football.
However, he was fit enough to come off the bench in the shock 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Despite Mbappe's earlier than expected return, Deschamps has chosen to leave him out of his latest squad.
Explaining his decision to omit his star player, Deschamps told reporters: "I spoke with Kylian, he has a problem which isn't serious but it requires care so that he recovers well.
"I'm not here to take risks."
Deschamps has also left out midfielders N'Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot, while Antoine Griezmann does not feature having recently retired from international football.
The France manager has called up Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku, Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise and PSG's Bradley Barcola to help fill the void left by Mbappe and Griezmann.
"It is strange not to see him," Deschamps said of Griezmann, who retired from France duty on Monday after winning 137 caps.
"I can only thank him for everything he has done and brought to the French team.
"He's not ending his career either. He's a very good example to follow for young people. It wasn't easy for him in his career, including with France. He was always generous. He was a leader on the field, in his own way, and he was versatile."
France squad to face Israel and Belgium
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss, Lucas Digne, Wesley Fofana, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Joules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Matteo Guendouzi, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, Christopher Nkunku, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram
Topics: France, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, NGolo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann
Rory O'Callaghan