Zinedine Zidane will unveil his first France squad on Friday. The selection will kick off his tenure with four Nations League matches in ten days, against Turkey, Italy and Belgium.

France, who top their World Cup qualifying group with nine points from three games, travel to face Turkey on September 25. The manager must deal with the confirmed absence of William Saliba, sidelined with a back fracture, and uncertainty surrounding the Hernandez brothers. Theo Hernandez and Lucas Hernandez are considered unlikely picks for this first call-up.

New faces

Several players could earn a first cap. Left-back Adrien Truffert, formerly of Rennes, is being monitored by the staff, as is Matthieu Udol. On the right, Jules Koundé and Malo Gusto are favoured, with Pierre Kalulu an option. In central defence, Jérémy Jacquet, who moved from Rennes to Liverpool this summer and has played 327 Premier League minutes, is in contention. Maxence Lacroix, who featured at the last World Cup, and Chelsea's Wesley Fofana are also serious candidates to join Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano.

In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga is the favourite to fill the role vacated by Ngolo Kanté, whose return is not expected. Andy Diouf, in excellent form at the start of the season, was pre-selected by the staff and remains a possible choice.

Attack and goalkeepers

In attack, Kylian Mbappé, the team's top scorer this season with ten goals in eight appearances, will obviously be present alongside Ousmane Dembélé. Prospects like Désiré Doué, Maghnes Akliouche and Bradley Barcola could be called up. The name of Esteban Lepaul, Ligue 1's top scorer last season with three goals since the campaign resumed, is also in the mix. The player said he awaits this first list with "impatience" after a Europa League match this week.

In goal, Mike Maignan will be the designated number one. Robin Risser and Brice Samba, in strong form, are the main candidates for the backup role. The staff is also monitoring Toulouse's Guillaume Restes and Como's Jean Butez.

The busy schedule begins with a trip to Turkey on September 25, followed by hosting Belgium at the Stade de France on the 28th. Italy visit on October 2, before a return trip to Belgium on the 5th. France's last outing was a 4-6 defeat to England on July 18, rounding out a run of five matches with three wins and two losses.

Background and full detail: RMC Sport Football