Manchester United star Raphael Varane could be in line to start the World Cup final vs Argentina after he made his return to France training on Saturday.
Didier Deschamps was left sweating on the fitness of Varane after he missed training on Friday after contracting 'flu-like' symptoms. The 24-hour rest appears to have worked wonders for the 29-year-old as he featured in training on the eve of the final, French media outlet L'Equipe reports.
Varane missed the last three games of the Premier League season before the World Cup with a leg injury, but Deschamps kept faith with the United man and selected him for his squad. That faith has since been repaid by the centre-back.
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He was an unused substitute in their opener against Australia but has been ever-present since and would be a big miss for the French should he be deemed not fit for the World Cup final. Varane has played every minute of the knockout stages and was on top form as Les Bleus beat Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Should he start on Sunday, Varane could face his domestic teammate Lisandro Martinez in the final. The pair have become Erik ten Hag's preferred defensive partnership this season.
Martinez's place in the showpiece match is far from secure. The 24-year-old was superb during the dramatic victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-final but he was dropped by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for the semi-final win over Croatia.
Argentina vs France kicks off at 3pm GMT in Lusail's Iconic Stadium on Sunday.
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