Didier Deschamps provides Raphael Varane fitness update ahead of France’s World Cup opener

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France boss Didier Deschamps has provided a fitness update on Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane ahead of Les Bleus’ World Cup opener.

The reigning world champions were already missing some of their biggest stars heading into Qatar, but Deschamps has lost Christopher Nkunku and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to injury in the last week.

With Presnel Kimpembe, N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba also not forming part of the 25-man squad that Deschamps has taken to the Middle East, there is no doubt that the victors in Russia four years ago head into the winter tournament far from full strength.

But ahead of France’s opener against Australia on Tuesday, Deschamps has received a much-welcomed boost on the injury front.

The former Chelsea midfielder has confirmed that Varane, who Manchester United signed for an initial £34m from Real Madrid last summer, is available for selection against Australia.

Didier Deschamps provides Raphael Varane fitness update ahead of France’s World Cup opener

While several of Varane’s compatriots were unsuccessful in their race to prove their fitness for Qatar, United’s number 19 looks to have won his own battle.

Speaking via Telefoot, Deschamps said on Varane: “He will be available for Tuesday.”

Come Tuesday, when France will be hoping to get their defence off to the best possible start, it’ll be exactly a month since the 29-year-old limped off against Chelsea.

On the hour mark, the four-time Champions League winner stayed on the ground after attempting to tackle Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Stamford Bridge.

Fearing for his World Cup hopes – the 87-time France international, who played an instrumental part in Les Bleus’ success four years ago, was visibly emotional and had to be consoled by his teammates.

But Varane has been declared fit for selection against the Socceroos, but having not played for a month and only just recovering from a muscle injury – Deschamps may have to carefully manager the influential serial winner.