Paul Pogba's agent confirms midfielder will miss World Cup
By Tom Gott
The agent of midfielder Paul Pogba has confirmed the Frenchman will not recover from his latest injury setback in time for the World Cup.
The Juventus man suffered a knee injury earlier this summer and is yet to make his second debut for his new club. It was hoped that he would return soon, but a thigh injury picked up in training has delayed his return once more.
Now, speaking to Telefoot, agent Rafaela Pimenta has confirmed Pogba will not make it back in time for the World Cup.
"Paul would like to return as soon as possible, but he must be patient, work hard in these difficult times and give the best of himself to be back on the field for the fans and his team as soon as possible," she said.
Pimenta confirmed that Pogba will need more time to recover from his thigh injury, which is expected to rule him out for a further three weeks.
France are already without Pogba's usual partner-in-crime, N'Golo Kante, after the Frenchman suffered a hamstring injury which will rule him out until well after the tournament comes to a close.
Manager Didier Deschamps recently stressed that he would not entertain calling up any player who would not arrive at the tournament ready to help immediately, admitting that Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane is in danger of missing out through injury.
"I've never taken an injured player to a big competition," he said. "The only thing that is certain is that I will not take a player who is not able to play at the start of the competition. Then it's on a case-by-case basis.
"Leaving for a big competition with players who are not suitable... it takes up too much attention. For those who have to play, it occupies the medical staff. I think we can only take eligible and capable players."