World Cup

France play down Laurent Koscielny fitness fears

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 12 June 2014

France's team doctor Franck Le Gall plays down concerns over the fitness of Laurent Koscielny, despite the centre-back missing training yesterday.

France team doctor Franck Le Gall has played down concerns over the fitness of centre-back Laurent Koscielny ahead of the World Cup.

Koscielny was forced to sit out of the team's training yesterday due to an issue with his Achilles tendon, raising doubts over whether he would be fit in time for his side's opening match against Honduras on Sunday.

However, Le Gall insists that he was left out as a precautionary measure and hinted that he could be rested from training fairly regularly throughout the tournament.

"[Koscielny] has been carrying that for several weeks or perhaps a bit more. He's played a lot of games this season," Le Gall told reporters.

"He's in great shape but tendons in the Achilles are a bit sensitive. During the competition we'll probably rest him for one, two, or three training sessions so as not to make the situation worse."

Koscielny's France and Arsenal teammate Olivier Giroud is also expected to be fit for Sunday despite missing training yesterday.