At Rambouillet, France’s Under-21 preparations have suffered another setback: first-choice goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen has been ruled out after injuring his hamstring in Thursday morning’s training session.
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Jaouen, 20, underwent medical examinations later on Thursday and will leave the France Under-21 camp to return to Newcastle. Head coach Gérald Baticle and his staff have confirmed his withdrawal.
The goalkeeper is the latest player forced out of the squad through injury, following Ethan Mbappé and Senny Mayulu. Baticle must now bring in another goalkeeper ahead of a decisive international fixture.
France already have two other goalkeepers in the group: Brest’s Mathieu Patouillet and Issiaka Touré of Aubagne, who play in the French third tier. Both are new to the Under-21 set-up.
Next appointment in France
The Young Blues face Luxembourg on Saturday at 19:00. The match could secure their place at the Under-21 European Championship finals, scheduled to take place in Albania and Serbia from 16 June to 3 July.
With Jaouen unavailable, Baticle must decide whether Patouillet or Touré will start between the posts, unless the incoming replacement is selected immediately.
