Paul Pogba is targeting a return to action for France’s friendlies next month to cement his place for the European Championships.

The Manchester United midfielder is recovering from ankle surgery and has been undergoing personal training sessions in Dubai during the Premier League winter break, with the rest of his team-mates in Marbella, Spain.

It is understood that Pogba has a chance of being fit for the derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 8. But the international fixtures against Ukraine and Finland are significant fixtures for the 26-year-old.

Pogba has not played for Didier Deschamps’s team all season, with his last appearance coming in last June’s qualifying win over Andorra.

Playing in the home fixtures in March, the final warm-up games before the summer, will erase any doubts over Pogba not being fit for the summer when France look to add the European title to the World Cup they won two years ago.

Pogba was a key player in their Russia triumph and only missed one competitive match, a Uefa Nations League defeat to Holland, before injury struck this season.