France concerned over Lacroix after injury in Chelsea vs Liverpool

Chelsea defender Lacroix substituted at half-time with left thigh injury in Carabao Cup; France squad announcement due 6 November for Nations League matches.

Maxence Lacroix was forced off before half-time in Chelsea's Carabao Cup round-of-16 tie against Liverpool on Wednesday evening, holding the back of his left thigh after a challenge during a Liverpool counter-attack. The 26-year-old Frenchman, a regular starter for Chelsea this season, appeared to slow his pace after planting on his left leg and was replaced by Levi Colwill with the score level at 1–1.

The muscle injury is poorly timed for Lacroix, who has started 10 of Chelsea's 11 matches this season. His availability for France's upcoming Nations League fixtures is now in doubt, with manager Zinédine Zidane set to announce his squad on 6 November for matches against Italy in Milan on 12 November and Turkey in Bordeaux on 15 November. Lacroix featured in all four of France's matches during Zidane's first international break in charge, starting three alongside Dayot Upamecano, Jérémy Jacquet and Lenny Yoro.

France also faces uncertainty over Ousmane Dembélé, who was withdrawn early from PSG's Champions League match against Barcelona with a left thigh injury expected to sideline him for three weeks.