Great news for England fans as Kylian Mbappe misses training ahead of quarter-final clash against France

England take on France for a place in the semi-final of the competition this weekend and the Three Lions fans being aware of the threat the former Monaco sensation poses can only wish that he fails fitness test going into their clash on Saturday.

Mbappe was carrying a slight injury issue earlier in the competition. The forward was pictured wearing strapping around his ankle ahead of the final group match against Tunisia, starting on the bench for that game with France’s place in the last 16 already secured.

The ankle issue is said to have been picked up while Mbappe was playing for PSG but he has shown no signs that it has affected him in Qatar with a string of superb performances for Les Blues.

Mbappe will pose the biggest threat when England take on the defending champions this weekend with former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud also in formidable form, having overtaken Thierry Henry’s all-time goal scoring record with his goal in the 3-1 win over Poland.

Giroud will lead the line for Didier Deschamps side with Mbappe in support, with the veteran describing the PSG star as one of the best forward’s he has ever played alongside.

‘Kylian is basically one of the best players I’ve played with,’ Giroud said in a press conference. ‘He is amazing and is still young which is scary as he can still improve.

‘He is very efficient and, from the beginning of the competition, he’s been crucial for us – very decisive, very competitive. He’s obviously the best striker I’ve played with in all of the teams I’ve played in.

‘We’ve not seen the best of him, I hope it’s going to come soon and he will beat all the records. I know that and you know it as well.’

Giroud added: ‘Football is so spontaneous that we can make movements like that. That goal came from that combination. Our relationship has always been good.

‘Our relationship has always been good. And this infectious enthusiasm is something we want to share with the young players and make our fans happy.’