Ibrahima Konate injury latest after travelling for France duty

Ibrahima Konate is yet to be pulled from France duty in the international break but further tests will be required after an issue picked up against Arsenal.

Konate was forced off with 11 minutes to play in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Anfield, having suffered a fitness concern in his upper right leg.

The 26-year-old was replaced by Joe Gomez who helped see out victory, and speaking in his post-match press conference Arne Slot explained the player’s belief it was simply cramp.

However Slot added: “Sometimes players talk about cramp and then we have a scan and it’s more than that.”

In a press conference of his own on Monday, France manager Didier Deschamps explained that the centre-back was set to undergo tests before any decision was made over whether he could play against Ukraine and Iceland.

“There are players, Ibou, Ousmane [Dembele] and maybe a few others too, who need to be checked by the doctor upon their arrival,” he told reporters.

“So they’re coming here but I don’t have the information right now.

“I hope I won’t have to make any other changes, but it’s not clearly a problem or clear they won’t be available.”

Deschamps has already seen Arsenal centre-back William Saliba and Man City attacker Rayan Cherki withdrawn from duty following injuries picked up at the weekend.

The hope is that Konate will not be risked if there is any suspicion of an injury, but there will be no reservations over his involvement in this month’s World Cup qualifiers if he only suffered cramp.

Cherki’s withdrawal from the squad has, meanwhile, led Deschamps to call up Hugo Ekitike for the first time.

“If he’s here, he’s supposed to be used, even if we don’t know how it’s going to go over the two games,” the 56-year-old said, confirming plans to involve Ekitike in the upcoming fixtures.

“But Hugo, I’ve already talked about him because of the very, very good season he has last year.

“Now, obviously, he’s changed clubs, so things have worked out pretty well for him at the start of the season.”

Deschamps added: “He’ll be discovering the French senior team and, like the 22 other players, he may have a role to play in these two matches.”