France get a big boost ahead of World Cup final with Argentina ‘with players returning from virus’

French centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate have reportedly been cleared to return to the squad in a huge boost for the World Cup final.  

Players are returning to action for France just at the right time after a virus outbreak that hit the squad ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup final. 

It has been a nervy week for Les Bleus with an illness spreading through their camp, which had kept Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano out of their semi-final victory over Morocco.

Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman all missed training over Thursday and Friday as they also recovered from flu-like symptoms.

Raphael Varane will return to training on Saturday following an illness in the French camp

Adrien Rabiot (left) and Dayot Upamecano (right) missed the semi-final due to the illness and are also back in action with Kingsley Coman – one day before the final in Qatar with Argentina

RMC Sport though have now reported that Varane and Konate are returning to training on Saturday – one day before they play Argentina. 

Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano are also back in action, leaving Coman as the only potential doubt for Sunday’s final.

Inside the French camp, in a bid to avoid the virus spreading further, coaching staff and the squad are wearing masks around the infected players.

There is also said to be no major concerns for Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez who both trained in the gym on Friday after suffering hip and knee knocks respectively.

It’s said there is more confidence that Tchouameni – who scored one of the goals that knocked out England in the quarter-finals – is going to be fine than Hernandez.  

Speaking about the virus, manager Didier Deschamps said: ‘We are trying to manage this as best as we can and remain calm and focused. 

‘We are doing our best to take precautions and adapt and live with it without going too far but doing what is necessary. We would have preferred not to face this but are managing it as best as we can.’

The French camp have put the sickness bug down to the air conditioning in Qatar that is being used to keep players, staff and fans cool in the blistering heat.

Didier Deschamps’ side have had to take extra precaution to stop the virus spreading further

They are not the first team to complain about this, after Brazil and Manchester United star Antony also raised the issue and the affect it was having on his side earlier in the tournament.

Meanwhile, fans have also complained about air conditioning inside the tournament’s various stadiums, revealing that they have had to wear jumpers to keep warm when attending matches. 

Striker Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to score France’s second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: ‘There’s a little flu that’s been spreading but nothing serious. They’ll be well soon and be ready for Sunday.’

A French press officer added: ‘As you know, Randal is not a doctor, we will communicate about it later.’

Aurelien Tchouameni (pictured) is expected to be fine despite doing gym work only on Friday

Kolo Muani said the players who fell ill had been isolated.

‘Those who are sick stay in their room, they’re being taken care of by the doctors and we’ve been enforcing social distancing. We’re very strict about it,’ he said.

Forward Ousmane Dembele said: ‘We’re not scared of that virus. Dayot and Adrien got a bit of a stomach ache, I made them a ginger and honey tea and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.

‘Dayot got better and I think everyone will be ready. We’ve been taking precautions. The first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and he was back with everyone the next day.’