Soccer-Ekitike handed first France call-up after Cherki thigh injury


Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 15, 2025 Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike before the match REUTERS/Peter Powell/File Photo

(Reuters) -Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has received his first call-up to the France squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers, replacing injured forward Rayan Cherki, the French Football Federation said on Sunday.

Cherki, who joined Manchester City in June, has been ruled out for up to two months after sustaining a thigh muscle injury, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to turn to the uncapped Ekitike.

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