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Pog blow

Paul Pogba will not feature for France at next month’s World Cup, the player’s agent has confirmed.

It had been hoped that the former Manchester United midfielder, 29, would be part of Didier Deschamps' squad despite not kicking a ball for Juventus since returning to Italy this summer.

Though he is close to recovering from a pre-season knee injury, the Qatar showpiece is going to come just too soon.

Agent Rafaela Pimenta said: "Following yesterday and today's medical review in Torino and Pittsburgh, it is extremely painful to inform Paul will still need recovery time from his surgery. 

"For this reason, Paul will not be able to join the Juventus squad before the World Cup break, nor the French national team in Qatar.

"If wishful thinking would change things, Paul would be playing tomorrow. But what changes things are hard work, resilience and discipline, all of which are the only things in Paul's mind at these challenging times. 

"Paul will continue working, giving his very best to be back on the pitch for the fans and his team as soon as possible."

The news comes as a further blow to Les Bleus boss Deschamps, who is already light in his engine room thanks to N’Golo Kante’s hamstring injury.

Fast start

Harry Kane has urged his Tottenham team-mates to carry momentum from their comeback win at Bournemouth into Tuesday’s crunch Champions League clash in Marseille.

Spurs were behind to Kieffer Moore’s brace at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon before Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur netted to seal a precious three points for Antonio Conte’s men.

Talismanic forward Kane, 29, believes the manner of the victory on the South Coast has created a positive vibe ahead of the Stade Velodrome showdown.

He explained: "This win sets us up nicely for the week. Tuesday is going to be a really tough game, especially with only a couple of days’ rest in between.

"We have to be ready for it and then there’s another big game on Sunday as well [against Liverpool].

"It’s important for momentum and now we go to Marseille with a good feeling."

The North Londoners were staring a third straight league defeat in the face before their late heroics and Kane confessed performances have not been up to scratch in recent times.

The England skipper added: "Mentally, I think when the players are free and we have nothing to lose, we play better. We get more people forward and keep the pressure on in the opposition half.

"We kept knocking on the door and, thankfully, we got through it, but it’s something we’re going to have to improve if we want to stay up towards the top of the table for the rest of the season."

Virtual reality

Reiss Nelson says his two-goal cameo for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest felt like something out of a computer game.

The 22-year-old had not scored for the Gunners in nearly two years but bagged a brace from the bench when replacing the injured Bukayo Saka on Sunday.

Nelson explained: "It was amazing — like I was playing FIFA a bit, you know.

"I think the first one, Gabi [Jesus] saw me in the box and I knew I could get there, so I had to get there. I was going to take it first time, and I kind of rolled it on to my left and hit it, and then I think the keeper saved and I was gutted.

"Then it came back out and my eyes lit up and I just hit it and it went bang into the top corner. So I was really delighted.

"Then the second one, I was just busting my gut to get into the box, and I think I got there and of course I just placed it into the corner. But like I said, I’m just really happy, and just overwhelmed by the occasion."

The Londoner will hope to build on that success when the Gunners meet FC Zurich in their final Europa League group game on Thursday evening.

Belgium boost

Kevin De Bruyne is desperate to shine for Belgium in Qatar at next month’s World Cup, admitting it could could be his last. 

The Manchester City midfielder, 31, struck an outstanding free-kick to help the champions see off Leicester 1-0 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Having inspired his nation to a quarter-final finish in Brazil in 2014 before starring in Roberto Martinez's side's third-place finish in Russia four years later, De Bruyne plans to have his loved ones by his side for this year’s showpiece.

He said: "My family are going over for the group stages. I am obviously 31 and I don’t know what will happen in four years. This is the first time my kids can come to the World Cup.

"That is why they are coming. It will be special, an event I don’t want them to miss. They are six, four and two. The eldest two of them follow the football a bit but the daughter, not really, but she can go and enjoy the sun and play in the pool.

"I am excited. It will be my third one and it is always special. These events are great as everyone is watching it. I understand what is coming."

City boss Pep Guardiola recently challenged his No17 to lift his game — something De Bruyne insists is received in a positive fashion.

De Bruyne added: "We had a brief conversation but not a big one. Just the usual stuff. I tried to play as good as possible.

"We play so many games and it is so hectic, the schedule so difficult, some games are better than others. I am fairly happy with the way I play. Can you do better? Yes, of course, but I do not take it too much as criticism."