Paul Pogba withdraws from France squad after testing positive for coronavirus

Paul Pogba has been withdrawn from the France squad after being diagnosed with coronavirus, head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has also been forced to pull out from Deschamps’ squad for the games against Sweden and Croatia next month, having returned a positive Covid-19 test.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Deschamps confirmed that Pogba “had a test yesterday which [returned] positive this morning”, and also confirmed Ndombele’s absence for the same reason.

“Paul Pogba was planned for the line-up. Unfortunately for him, he did a test yesterday which came back positive this morning,” Descamps said. “Therefore, at the last minute, I had to replace him by Eduardo Camavinga.”

The two Premier League players have entered a period of self-isolation for 14 days, and will not be considered for the games on Saturday 5 September and Tuesday 8 September.

The positive test results could also keep the pair out of the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, which is due to get underway in just over two weeks’ time.

Spurs begin their 2020/21 campaign on Saturday 12 September against Everton, although United are not in action until the following weekend when they face Crystal Palace as they have been granted an extra period of rest due to their European commitments last season.

United issued a brief statement to confirm that Pogba had been forced to withdraw from the France squad, and sent the 27-year-old their best wishes for his recovery.

“Pogba has been replaced in the squad after testing positive for Covid-19. The midfielder will be unable to add to his 69 caps and 10 goals for his country in the games next month,” a United club statement read.

“Everybody at United wishes Paul a speedy recovery ahead of the new season.”

Deschamps responded to the sudden withdrawal of his two midfielders by calling up Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga to his 23-man squad, which also sees a recall handed to Pogba’s Manchester United team-mate Anthony Martial.