Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny cleared to resume World Cup training

SPORTS

Giroud, Koscielny cleared to resume World Cup training with France

Jerome Pugmire The Associated Press
Published Thursday, June 12, 2014 3:36PM EDT

France's Olivier Giroud, green shirt, challenges Raphael Varanne for the ball, during the first training session of the french national soccer team at the Santa Cruz Stadium in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, Tuesday, June 10, 2014. (AP / David Vincent)

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RIBEIRAO PRETO, Brazil -- France striker Olivier Giroud and centre half Laurent Koscielny have been cleared to take part in Thursday's training session after sitting out the previous day's practice to have some physio treatment.

Giroud had some tightness in his left hamstring and Koscielny, his Arsenal club teammate, has some tendinitis in his Achilles tendon, France's team doctor Franck Le Gall said Thursday.

"(Koscielny) has been carrying that for several weeks or perhaps a bit more. He's played a lot of games this season," Le Gall said. "He's in great shape but tendons in the Achilles are a bit sensitive. During the competition we'll probably rest him for one, two, or three training sessions so as not to make the situation worse."

Mamadou Sakho has recovered from some bruising to his right knee.

"He felt some pain and a kind of locking sensation," Le Gall said. "The scan was reassuring, and he trained normally (on Wednesday). He was more apprehensive than anything."

All three players are expected to be ready when France opens its Group E campaign against Honduras on Sunday.

While Koscielny is not certain to be selected by coach Didier Deschamps, Giroud is expected to lead the attack.

"He's fine and we decided that he could take part in training," Le Gall said about Giroud. "I don't have any particular apprehension. If he's training this afternoon it means that we think he's available."