Entire France squad back in training after sickness scare, but Olivier Giroud 'struggling' with knock ahead of World Cup final against Argentina, as Les Bleus weigh up tactical change involving Kylian Mbappe and Marcus Thuram

Olivier Giroud is a doubt for the World Cup final with the France striker struggling with a knock, according to reports.

The 36-year-old has been in wonderful form for Les Bleus in the competition, scoring four goals in five matches so far and becoming France's all-time top goalscorer in the process.

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Giroud was forced off during the semi-final victory over Morocco and was replaced by Marcus Thuram, who provides a different threat in attack.

The France camp have been struggling with a virus this week and While Didier Deschamps was boosted as his entire squad were back in training the day before the final, European football expert Lars Sivertsen revealed a potential concern around their first-choice frontman.

Speaking to talkSPORT on the eve of the final Sivertsen said: “The latest from the French press is that all 24 players did train this evening. I’m assuming that if they’re fit enough to train then they don’t have virus.

“What is interesting is that Olivier Giroud is reportedly struggling a little bit with a knock and, according to L’Equipe, in training on Saturday evening they were testing a formation with Marcus Thuram playing instead of Olivier Giroud.

“You might remember, this is how they finished up against Morocco as well because Giroud came off.

“There could also be certain tactical implications to this because Kylian Mbappe playing on the left when they have a very attack-minded left-back in Theo Hernandez on that side who doesn’t do an awful lot of defending, coming up against Lionel Messi who loves that space between the left centre-half and the left-back, maybe that’s a little bit concerning for France.

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“Maybe Marcus Thuram could go into the left-sided role with Mbappe up front would give you someone who is a little more game in terms of tracking back.

“Also with Giroud not being 100 per cent, that could be something that Deschamps appears to be considering.”

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