Television, crosswords and Nintendo - Laurent Koscielny's remedy to FIFA World Cup heartache

London, May 24: Laurent Koscielny was on course to play for France at the 2018 World Cup until a ruptured Achilles tendon left him in agony, but the experienced defender already has a plan in place for coping with a period of enforced inactivity.

The Arsenal centre-back suffered the injury during the Gunners' Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid and is not expected to be back in action until November, when Unai Emery's first campaign in charge will be well under way.

Koscielny's recovery is progressing but, in an interview with France Football, he laid bare the moment he knew his Russia 2018 dream had died.

"I knew right away that my tendon had let go," he said. "The pain was not usual, I felt a terrible break.

"My first reaction was to say to myself, "It's dead, my tendon has burst'. I screamed on the pitch… excruciating pain."

What an honour! No words to describe the feeling right now..... Can’t wait to get going! See you in Russia

— Jamie Vardy (@vardy7) May 16, 2018

In terms of his rehabilitation programme, Koscielny acknowledged it is early days and his routine at the moment includes plenty of taking it easy.

"My programme? Television, crosswords and Nintendo," he said.

"I am now wearing a boot, which allows me to walk on crutches.

"In three months I hope to resume light jogging. In five months I could certainly retouch the ball."

Koscielny sent a letter encouraging France squad

He said: 'This year, I'll be on my sofa, watching on the TV and I'll be your No 1 fan' pic.twitter.com/PTRHscGBto

— Merci Arsène 👏🏾 (@tomgunner14) May 24, 2018

Reacting to Koscielny's injury earlier, France coach Didier Deschamps said: "It's a very big blow for the French team.

"An injury never comes at the right time. I am really very sad for Laurent because this World Cup was also a very important moment for him in his career and I wish him strength and a good return to the field because I'm sure he still has some great things to show."

Deschamps named his final squad for Russia 2018 without Dimitri Payet, Adrien Rabiot, Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman. Rabiot, who was named as a standby, expressed his displeasure with the French Football Federation too.

Source: OPTA