Will Nayef Aguerd play for Morocco vs France?
By Sean Walsh
Morocco are just one win away from becoming the first African side in history to reach a FIFA World Cup final.
The Atlas Lions have been the ultimate surprise package of this winter's tournament (well, not to Samuel Eto'o anyway) and many a neutral will be cheering them on when they face France in Wednesday's semi-final.
One question on the lips of the Moroccan faithful is whether star centre-back Nayef Aguerd will play after suffering a muscle injury.
Here's the latest on the West Ham man's fitness.
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What's the latest on Nayef Aguerd's injury?
Aguerd was substituted 84 minutes into Morocco's last 16 tie with Spain after succumbing to a hamstring injury.
It has also been reported in the French media that he has been suffering with a bout of illness in the lead up to the semi-final. However, he has been powering through these symptoms and has taken part in training sessions in recent days.
Aguerd missed much of the 2022/23 season so far with an ankle problem picked up shortly after signing for West Ham from Rennes, only returning to action just prior to the World Cup.
Will Nayef Aguerd play for Morocco vs France?
It would be one hell of a fitness gamble if Walid Regragui chooses to start Aguerd from the off, but given World Cup semi-finals don't come round often (or to this point, ever) for Morocco, then there remains a chance he can fight through the pain to play.
Officially, Aguerd remains a doubt, but don't be too surprised if he makes an appearance - centre-back partner Romain Saiss played for nearly an hour against Portugal with a hamstring injury, remember.
Who could replace Nayef Aguerd?
If Aguerd is not deemed fit enough to start, then Real Valladolid's Jawad El Yamiq would be in line to start again following his impressive showing against Portugal.
Achraf Dari of Brest replaced the injured Saiss during that quarter-final win and is also expected to play should Morocco's two senior centre-backs be unavailable.