France were dealt a blow today with news that Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery would take no part in the 2014 World Cup after failing to recover well enough from injury.

Ribery had struggled with a back injury through the recently concluded league season, making only 18 appearances in the Bundesliga for Bayern.

The winger had also missed France’s last two warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup and had only returned to training on Thursday when a check-up on his recovery decided World Cup his fate.

The 31 year old was joined out of the World Cup by Olympique Lyon midfieder Clement Grenier. According to France coach Didier Deschamps, Grenier picked up a thigh injury during training on Thursday.

Ribery and Grenier will now be replaced by Montpellier’s Remy Cabella and Morgan Schneiderlin who plays at Southampton in the Premier League.