Hugo Lloris has been accused by Samir Nasri of asking France coach Didier Deschamps to exclude him from the national team, writes Tom Collomosse.

Nasri, the Manchester City player, announced his retirement from international football last summer after he was left out of the France squad for the World Cup.

And in a remarkable attack, Nasri has now partly blamed Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris for his omission — a claim he says the France captain has denied.

Nasri told L’Equipe 21: “I had confirmation from a reporter that he [Lloris] had been to see Didier Deschamps, sent by three players apparently, to ask him to exclude me from the squad after the World Cup play-off game against Ukraine [last November].

“He called me and told me that it was not true. I’ve already asked for an explanation. He told me nothing had happened. If I get confirmation, perhaps I will not shake his hand. I do not know. There is no smoke without fire.”

Meanwhile, reports in Australia claim Spurs are close to agreeing an end-of-season friendly in Sydney.