[WORLD CUP 2014] Goalkeeper
Steve Mandanda was forced to pull out of France's squad for the World Cup after injuring his
neck in a horrific collision on the final day of the Ligue 1 season on Saturday.
Mandanda lost consciousness after his head hit the knee of Guingamp striker
Mustapha Yatabare early in the first half. He had to leave the field on a stretcher and was taken to the hospital, where it was determined he had suffered a neck sprain and a crack in
the first cervical vertebra. He will have to wear a neck brace for three weeks.
St. Etienne goalkeeper
Stephane Ruffier, who was on standby, will
replace Mandanda in the France squad.
France Roster (23 Players): Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham /ENG), Stephane Ruffier (St. Etienne), Mickael Landreau (Bastia)
Defenders: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid
/SPA), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool/ENG), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle/ENG), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal/ENG), Lucas Digne (Paris SG), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto/POR), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Patrice Evra
(Man. United/ENG).
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Paris SG), Paul Pogba (Juventus/ITA), Blaise Matuidi (Paris SG), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle/ENG), Clement
Grenier (Lyon), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/SPA), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Antoine
Griezmann (Real Sociedad/SPA), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ENG), Loic Remy (Newcastle/ENG).