Yann M’Vila Injury: France Midfielder Has Sprained Ankle

M’Vila has a sprained ankle and is hopeful that he can still go to Euro 2012 with France. How much time he misses depends on the degree of the sprain, but it would be very surprising if M’Vila was able to play in France’s first group stage game on June 11. However, he’s optimistic about his chances to return that quickly.

Even if Diarra has avoided a serious injury, it would be very surprising if he did not suffer a badly sprained ankle, at the very least. That wouldn’t stop him from starting preseason on time for Rennes or securing a big-money transfer, but it would be a serious enough injury that Laurent Blanc would need to consider calling up a replacement for Euro 2012. While no one has a diagnosis yet, it’ll take a miracle for M’Vila to return to Les Bleus in the short term.

M’Vila is currently one of two starters in the center of midfield, alongside Yohan Cabaye. Diarra, the man who replaced him in the match against Serbia, would likely take over the starting role. He’s a tactical like-for-like replacement, but doesn’t have nearly the athletic ability or technical quality of M’Vila. With all due respect to Diarra, the loss of M’Vila will be a massive blow for France.