France hoping injured players will be back for Portugal game

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - France v Ukraine - Stade de France, Paris, France - October 7, 2020 France coach Didier Deschamps during the match REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

PARIS (Reuters) - France coach Didier Deschamps is hoping to count on the return of several injured players when the world champions travel to Portugal in the Nations League on Saturday.

Les Bleus were without Kylian Mbappe, Presnel Kimpembe, Kingsley Coman, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez in a 2-0 friendly home defeat to Finland on Wednesday.