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France coach Deschamps delivers World Cup blow to Man Utd striker Martial

France coach Didier Deschamps has ruled out replacing injured Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial was touted as a potential replacement for Benzema, who has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar. Benzema has sustained a thigh injury and confirmed on Instagram that his tournament was over before it had even begun.

Speculation then arose as to whether Deschamps would call up a replacement, with Martial one of three possible names in contention.

Deschamps was asked by a reporter on Sunday: "Will Karim Benzema be replaced?" The France chief responded: "No."

It means France will have a 25-man squad despite being able to bump it up to 26.

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