Paul Pogba will miss France’s matches against Kazakhstan and Finland in the World Cup qualifiers due to a right thigh injury, the national team confirmed on Tuesday.
Video footage captured by French media showed Manchester United’s midfielder complaining of discomfort after making a spike in training on Monday. He had to retreat limply.
Roma midfielder Jordan Veretout was called up to cover the absence of Pogba, who would have started on Saturday to face Kazakhstan at home.
Les Bleus lead their group of the European qualifiers with a margin of three points over their immediate follower Ukraine. They need to get a win in their last two matches to secure first place and qualify directly for next year’s tournament in Qatar.
France will face Finland, which is four points behind in third place, next Tuesday.
Pogba had been without playing in the Premier League, having to serve a suspension after being sent off against Liverpool last month. He missed the last two club matches in the English tournament.
.