World Cup: Kylian Mbappe misses France training ahead of England clash

Kylian Mbappe did not leave with his France team mates for training on Tuesday, just four days before his decisive World Cup quarter-final match with England.

The Paris Saint-Germain star is seen as England’s biggest threat heading into Saturday’s match as he tops the tournament’s goalscoring list with five goals in four games.

Les Bleus staff said Mbappe did not take part due to ongoing recovery work following their win over Poland on Sunday, despite other players taking part in the same match, including Olivier Giroud, who did take part in the session.

Kylian Mbappé was absent from France training four days before the game against England

The France players took part in a light open training session in front of reporters on Tuesday.

Didier Deschamps will be keen to get Mbappe back on the training ground as soon as possible.

Mbappe had complained of an ankle injury prior to the tournament, but that hasn’t affected his performance as he has arguably been the star player in Qatar.

His absence from training will no doubt have attracted the interest of England’s players and coaching staff.

Traditionally, players participate in recovery sessions the day after the games.

However, it has been two days since Mbappe helped France reach the quarter-finals by scoring twice in their 3-1 win over Poland.

Giroud, who became France’s all-time top scorer in the same match, took part in the training, along with most of those who also took part on Sunday.

However, the Les Bleus staff have downplayed any concerns by insisting that Mbappe is still doing classic recovery work indoors after the clash with Poland.

Other key players, including Antoine Griezmann (left) and Hugo Lloris (second from right), were among those who trained

Olivier Giroud, who became France’s all-time top scorer, was also part of the training.

Les Bleus staff said Mbappe is still doing recovery work two days after the win over Poland.

His absence will have been the most important news among the truckload of British and Brazilian journalists who attended the open training session in France today.

However, they will have been disappointed as only an hour of light exercise was planned for the key players.

Mbappé still has plenty of time to get back to full fitness before the clash with the Three Lions, as the two teams won’t play until Saturday.

The 23-year-old’s showdown against Kyle Walker on the wing against England will be one of the most anticipated when the two European heavyweights square off.

England will have to come up with a plan to keep Mbappé quiet unless he is unavailable to play.

Any concern over Mbappe’s injuries will be music to the ears of Walker and England, as the speedy striker is essential to his country’s hopes of retaining the trophy they lifted in 2018.

France have already been unlucky with injuries to their front line at the World Cup.

RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku was ruled out of the tournament before it started, while Karim Benzema is unlikely to feature after he too suffered an injury.

England have no injury concerns at the moment, although Raheem Sterling is unlikely to be involved after he traveled home to be with his family following the burglary at his home.