Raphael Varane is making good progress on his injury as he was seen doing a number of individual drills during France’s first training session in Doha after landing in Qatar for the World Cup.
Varane has been out of action since the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month, but it looks as though he is nearing full fitness as he gets set to play a major part in France’s World Cup title defence, which they won four years ago in Russia.
France take on Australia in their opening match of the tournament on Tuesday evening at 7pm UK time, which might come a bit too soon for the United defender, but he should be available to be in contention for France after the Australia game.
After their game against Australia in Al Wakrah, France will then play games against Denmark on 26 November before they round off their group stages campaign against Hannibal Mejbri’s Tunisia on 30 November.
France football journalist. Julien Laurens tweeted an update on the latest on Varane and Karim Benzema, who were both at first training with the main group before heading off to do their individual work with the France fitness coach, away from the rest of the players.
France starting their first training session in Doha. Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema are there pic.twitter.com/Tj6ON7n5b4
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) November 17, 2022
Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane now training on their own, with the fitness coach, away from the rest of the squad. @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/2gnN1Qg75y
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) November 17, 2022
The news from Laurens is still a positive, because during the Chelsea game Varane’s reaction to going off injured felt like he was going to miss the entire World Cup.
It remains to be seen if the United number 19 will be fit enough to start current World champions’ opening game of the World Cup, as the latest reports are saying that Varane might not join up with the main group on Friday as they get prepared to take on Australia.
