Hugo Lloris responds to France "weak link" concern and makes Harry Kane admission

Hugo Lloris has dismissed claims he is France’s weak link ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with England.

France skipper and Tottenham keeper Lloris was asked about the perception of him as a liability between the posts, but refused to be drawn on criticism of him from outside.

“I will do my talking on the pitch,” said Lloris. “We don’t need any motivation from outside to play the quarter-final of a World Cup - we will do our talking on the pitch.”

Lloris has spent nine years at Spurs and admitted the familiarity with England’s players adds an extra edge to the showdown.

“We’re quite used to playing against them,” said Lloris. “Some of them we are used to training with and playing with on a daily basis.

“So if we can help each other with advice on England’s players, then we will do that. Every little detail will count in this match, So we are going to have to be string.”

Lloris acknowledged his Spurs team-mate and England counterpart, Harry Kane, will pose a huge threat to France and admitted he will have little hope against him if the game goes to penalties.

“Harry has the ability to shoot anywhere,” said Lloris. “It can be right, left, in the middle. He is one of the best in this aspect of the game, but for Harry and the other England players, they will be analysing the penalties.

Hugo Lloris know what to expect from Harry Kane from their nine years together at Tottenham (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

“Then it is all about feeling, the instinct you get during the match, But before you arrive at a penalty shoot-out, there is the time to make a difference on the pitch. Any moment can be decisive for both teams, so we have to be ready for any scenario.

“Harry and I have a very strong relationship, we’ve been playing together for nine years now and, on and off the pitch, we know each other really well. I have only positive things to say about Harry, he’s a very important player for the club, and for England as well.

“He’s a real leader, an example for his team-mates and he is a top player. He has been decisive for his club and very often he makes the difference.

"Like all of the players on Saturday, he is going to be determined to get his team through.”