France captain Kylian Mbappe will miss his country's UEFA Nations League match against Italy on Thursday due to a hamstring problem, head coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Wednesday.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference in Milan, Zidane stated that the Real Madrid striker sat out training after feeling slight discomfort and would not be risked for the fixture at the San Siro.
Zidane said: "He will be out tomorrow. He felt a slight pain and, as usual, we won't take any risks. Losing players is regrettable, but it's part of the game. I hope it's nothing serious and that we'll have him back on Sunday."
Mbappe previously missed three matches earlier in the international cycle after injuring his left knee while scoring the winner in a Nations League fixture against Turkey on September 25.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini offered lighthearted advice regarding the forward's fitness ahead of the encounter, noting the upcoming club fixtures for Real Madrid while praising the depth of the French squad.
France currently sit at the top of their Nations League group and will secure advancement to the quarter-finals scheduled for March by defeating Italy away from home.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Senny Mayulu has received his first senior national team call-up, joining the squad from the under-21 camp following an injury to Aurelien Tchouameni.
Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi also joined the senior setup as a replacement for Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram, who was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
France return to action on Sunday when they host Turkey in Bordeaux, with Zidane expressing optimism that Mbappe could recover in time to feature in that fixture.
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