Yann M'Vila Injury: Updates on French Star's Ankle Injury

France's already slim chances of success at the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship took what could be a massive hit on Thursday.

According to Philippe Auclair of France Football, Yann M'Vila left France's friendly with Serbia after twisting his right ankle in the fifth minute and was replaced by Alou Diarra:

"

Not looking good at all for M'Vila, who twisted his right ankle with less than 5' gone and is in tears on France's bench. Diarra on.

— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) May 31, 2012"

UPDATE: Thursday, May 31st at 6:30 p.m. EDT by Josh Martin

Good news, Gooners (and France supporters). Football writer Jamie Sanderson reports that M'Vila's ankle twist against Serbia didn't turn out to be as severe as anticipated:

"

Yann M'Vila stretchered off for France tonight. Laurent Blanc hopeful he'll be fine. Not as bad as expected. Won't affect transfer.

— Jamie Sanderson (@YoungGunsBlog) May 31, 2012"

Whether or not that affects his status for Euro 2012 remains to be seen. However, M'Vila's ankle (and wallet) should be fit enough for the transfer market once he reopens negotiations after Les Bleus finish their run in Poland and the Ukraine next month. 

----End of Update----

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder came into the match with 18 caps for Les Bleus. M'Vila's tackling, possession and playmaking ability out of the back will be missed on Laurent Blanc's side, looking to advance out of the group stage of a major international tournament for the first time since the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

M'Vila had emerged as a star with Rennes in France's Ligue 1 this past season, drawing heavy interest from powerhouse clubs like Arsenal and Inter Milan as a result. According to Jamie Sanderson of Metro, M'Vila will not entertain further transfer talks until after Euro 2012.

Of course, if M'Vila's ankle renders him unfit to play in Poland and Ukraine, and France is bounced early as a result, then those negotiations could begin again sooner than previously expected.

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