France lose injured Digne ahead of Nations League final with Spain

France will be without Lucas Digne for the Nations League final after the defender withdrew from Les Bleus’ squad due to a hamstring injury.

Digne was an unused substitute on Thursday as France fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Belgium 3-2 in Turin.

After goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe levelled matters, full-back Theo Hernandez completed the turnaround with a superb 90th-minute winner.

The stunning comeback from Didier Deschamps’ side booked a final showdown with Spain on Sunday, though Digne will now miss that match.

Everton issued a statement revealing the 28-year-old is returning to Merseyside to have a minor hamstring issue assessed by the club’s medical team.

Rafael Benitez will hope to have the player available when Everton return to domestic action on October 17, hosting West Ham at Goodison Park.

Digne has started all seven Premier League games so far in the 2021-22 campaign, which is his fourth at the club since arriving from Barcelona in July 2018.