Doue injury leaves Zidane with selection dilemma ahead of France’s Turkey test

France need only draw with Turkey on Sunday to reach the Nations League quarter-finals, but Zinedine Zidane is targeting victory to secure top spot in Group A.

The France manager has received encouraging news about Kylian Mbappe’s recovery, although the availability of Desire Doue remains uncertain after the Paris Saint-Germain forward sustained a jaw injury against Italy.

Doue was hurt in the 69th minute of France’s 3-1 win at San Siro, when he was struck by an elbow from Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi. The blow caused enough pain to require medical attention and has placed his involvement against Turkey in doubt.

According to French website Foot Mercato, Doue visited a dentist on Friday afternoon after one of his teeth became loose as a result of the impact.

The injury did not stop him from taking part in the opening stages of France’s training session at the Atlantic stadium in Bordeaux. However, his participation against Turkey has not yet been confirmed.

Zidane and his medical staff are continuing to assess the 20-year-old before making a final decision. France do not want to risk Doue’s health during a match that carries significant consequences at this stage of the competition.

Mbappe provides boost

Mbappe offered a more positive development after returning to full team training. The France captain missed the win over Italy because of a hamstring injury.

He completed the collective part of the session, which lasted about 30 minutes, before the substitutes from the previous day’s match continued with their own work. His return suggests the Real Madrid forward is close to full fitness.

Mbappe’s availability would be a major lift for Zidane, particularly after France began the camp with several absentees. The captain’s possible return comes at an important moment before the meeting with Turkey.

The session also included a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the attacks of 13 November 2015, on the 11th anniversary of the events that shook France.

Zidane and Mbappe also met the families of two firefighters from Gironde who died during the summer fires, in a gesture away from the sporting demands of the camp.

Draw enough, but France want first place

A draw would guarantee France qualification for the quarter-finals, but finishing second would mean losing the advantage of topping the group.

Group winners will face one of the teams finishing second elsewhere, rather than another group winner. Greece, England and Denmark are among the sides currently in contention for those runners-up places.

Top spot would also give France home advantage for the second leg of their quarter-final, which will be played over two legs. The quarter-finals are scheduled for March, while the semi-finals and final will take place in June as single-match ties.

The France-Turkey match is scheduled for 15 November 2026.