Debuchy to sit out France World Cup qualifiers
Newcastle full-back Mathieu Debuchy has withdrawn from the France squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain due to a thigh injury.
The former Lille defender lasted just 13 minutes at the DW Stadium in Newcastle's clash with Wigan Athletic on Sunday before having to leave the field and has been ruled out by French Football Federation medics following tests.
Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps has called up Marseille's Rod Fanni as his replacement.
Debuchy's club team-mate Yohan Cabaye will remain with the squad despite missing Sunday's Barclays Premier League encounter, which Newcastle lost 2-1.
Wingers Franck Ribery and Jeremy Menez are also struggling with injuries but will hope to be fit for Friday's Group I clash with Georgia and next Tuesday's mouthwatering meeting with world and European champions Spain.