Lloris plays on despite last-minute blunder that gifted a winner in World Cup qualifier

While Joe Hart is consigned to a watching brief in England’s friendly against France, opposite number Hugo Lloris will captain Les Bleus just four days after a costly gaffe against Sweden.

Tottenham No 1 Lloris might have expected to cede his spot to Bordeaux’s Benoit Costil after he conceded an embarrassing last-minute winner from 50 yards in Stockholm, the result of a rash sprint from his box, a poor clearance and a brilliant piece of opportunism by Ola Toivonen. But France are rallying behind their man.

“He will play, definitely. Lloris will captain,” said manager Didier Deschamps. “I discussed it with him. We shared the same opinion, that’s clear. We want him to go back on the pitch.”

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane was equally supportive of Lloris, who overtook Fabien Barthez to become his country’s most capped keeper earlier this month. Varane said: “He will continue saving us in other games and we don’t have to cry over spilt milk.”

Widespread changes are expected elsewhere, Monaco’s rapidly rising star, 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe is likely to be given just a second international start in place of Antoine Griezmann, as Europe’s top clubs run the rule over one of the continent’s brightest prospects.

From the national team’s persective, one year away from a World Cup, another season at Monaco may be the best-case scenario.

Rather than bedding in at a new club, league and country, he would be virtually guaranteed to be the headline act at Stade Louis II. Lloris has suggested Mbappe would be best advised to prioritise first-team football at this stage of his development.