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Ritabrata Banerjee

Hugo Ekitike rewarded for superb Liverpool start with late France call-up as Manchester City star Rayan Cherki withdraws and faces two-month absence

New Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike earned a late call-up to the France squad as he replaced the injured Rayan Cherki in the national team. Ekitike got off to a dream start to his Reds career as he scored two goals in his first couple of matches for the Reds in the Premier League. His efforts were duly recognised by Didier Deschamps and was included in the French side for their World Cup qualifiers.

  • Ekitike earns late France call-up
  • Cherki out with thigh injury
  • Scored twice in first two Liverpool matches
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Ekitike scored in his first two Premier League appearances for Liverpool against Bournemouth and Newcastle and his red-hot form has helped the striker earn a late call-up to the France national team after Manchester City's Rayan Cherki withdrew due to a severe injury.

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  • Cherki Manchester CityGetty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Cherki, along with Phil Foden, missed the trip to Brighton on Sunday after sustaining a thigh injury. After the Cityzens went down 2-1 against the Seagulls at Amex Stadium, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the former Lyon star has been ruled out of action for two months. The Spanish coach told reporters: "He’s out for two months. Seven or eight weeks."

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Ekitike, who has dual French-Cameroonian nationality, had the chance to play for the African nation but snubbed them and chose the European one.

  • هوجو إيكيتيكيGetty Images Sport

    WHAT NEXT FOR EKITIKE?

    The 23-year-old will hope to earn his maiden international cap during France's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland on September 5 and 9 respectively.