Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure admits he still hopes for a first France call.

Doucoure has been outstanding for Everton under manager Rafa Benitez this season, though at 28 is still waiting to make his Les Bleus debut.

“I know that I have taken a step forward this season, we are talking a little more about me," Doucoure, who has repeatedly turned down Mali's overtures, said just this week. "If I am one day in the France team, it will be legitimate. I am a little underrated in France, as I have already said.

"It's not necessarily someone's fault, maybe it's due to the clubs in which I played. I feel the wheel is going to turn. I have my teammate Lucas Digne who is in the squad, it proves that by being at Everton, we can be selected."