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Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has been pictured linking up with the French national team ahead of matches in the US this week against Brazil and Colombia.
Ekitike limped off eight minutes into Liverpool's Premier League defeat against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday and Arne Slot later revealed that he was suffering from a dead leg sustained in a duel with James Milner. The player appears set to be fine to play for his country in the final international break of the season.
"Hugo could play tomorrow if he had to," Slot explained. "It was a dead leg. It was a collision that led to him going off. It was not helpful."
News that Ekitike is not set for a period on the sidelines will be a boost to Liverpool, even though Alexander Isak is nearing a comeback.
The Swede, Slot confirmed last week, should be available to play a part in the upcoming Champions League glamor tie against PSG after breaking his leg at Tottenham in December.
Elsewhere, Federico Chiesa had initially joined up with Italy for its World Cup play-off clash with Northern Ireland this week, but after linking up with his international teammates, he was sent home.
Should Italy beat Northern Ireland, it will then take on either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off final, with a place at the summer tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico on the line.
"Federico Chiesa was assessed on arrival at the Federal Technical Centre and deemed unavailable for the next two matches," the Italian FA said in a statement on Monday.
"In agreement with his club, he has left the squad. Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi has been called up as his replacement."
Chiesa admitted earlier this year that he struggled with the physical transition into the Premier League from Serie A.
He had previously told Italian national team boss Gennaro Gattuso he did not want to be included in any squad until he was "100 per cent" ready to be fully involved, even though the former AC Milan midfielder was keen to have him there.
"I must respect what the player tells me," Gattuso explained in November. "I often talk to him. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has."
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