Thursday 9 October 2014 20:51, UK
France coach Didier Deschamps has called up Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to replace the injured Laurent Koscielny for his side's upcoming friendly double-header.
Arsenal central defender Koscielny, who has been suffering from "chronic tendinitis of both Achilles tendons for several months", was released from international duty after he was struck down by the injury when he met up with the rest of the France squad in Clairefontaine three days ago.
Roma defender Yanga-Mbiwa, 25, was consequently given a call to join up with Les Bleus at the National Football Centre at Clairefontaine and is expected to arrive by Thursday evening.
Les Bleus play hosts to Portugal on Saturday and travel to Armenia next Tuesday in friendlies building up to their hosting of Euro 2016.
A statement on www.fff.fr read: "Without noting any favourable changes for three days, and after discussion with the player and Franck Le Gall (doctor of the France team), Didier Deschamps decided on Thursday afternoon to release Laurent Koscielny back to his club."
The Koscielny news is another blow for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who has seen midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta suffer injuries in recent weeks.
