Franck Ribéry’s participation at the World Cup is under threat, despite the Bayern Munich winger being named in France’s final 23-man squad.
Ribéry missed France’s warm-up matches against Norway and Paraguay last week with a back injury and has not played since appearing as a substitute in the German Cup final victory over Borussia Dortmund on 17 May.
The French Football Federation are reported to have set a deadline of Friday for Ribery to prove his fitness, but are likely to give the player as long as he needs.
In theory France coach Didier Deschamps has until 24 hours before the opening game against Honduras on June 15 to name a replacement.
Deschamps said earlier this week that they would ‘do everything possible to get him ready.’
Speaking on Saturday about Ribery’s fitness, he was hopeful that he would travel to Brazil.
“Backache, it means everything and nothing,” he said.
“I do not go into the medical field, but we will do everything to get him back in the best conditions.”
Montpellier’s Rémy Cabella of Montpellier and Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon are the likely alternatives should Ribéry be ruled out.
