France coach Didier Deschamps admits he's saddened by the news that N'Golo Kante is out of the World Cup.

The Chelsea midfielder underwent hamstring surgery this week and will be sidelined for four months.

Deschamps said: "I am sad for him. He is disappointed. He has had physical problems for the past two seasons. He relapsed after a muscle injury, which will take him on recovery times that will go beyond the World Cup.

"Not having NG is one less force, due to his energy, his experience. Humanly, he is such an endearing little man, who always has a smile and who has always been very important for all his clubs and for us.

"We will miss him but we have to deal with it."