Midfielder Paul Pogba was replaced by Matteo Guendouzi in the France squad to face Albania and Andorra in Euro 2020 Group H qualifiers after picking up an ankle injury, the French football federation said on Monday.

The Manchester United player's absence earns Arsenal's Guendouzi, 20, his first call-up by coach Didier Deschamps.

According to Metro Sport, French under-21 manager Sylvain Ripoll played a trick on Guendouzi when he told him the big news.

"He said, 'Matteo, come here, we need to talk. I like you very much but you have to leave,'" Guendouzi said. 

Then, the coach added: "Actually, you're going with the senior France national team."

"At first I couldn't believe it. Ten minutes before I was asleep - I thought it was still a dream!," said the player, who found out about his call-up after taking a nap. 

"It's a big surprise for me today," he added. 

World champions France host Albania on Saturday and Andorra three days later.

Les Bleus are top of Group H with nine points from four games.

(With input from Reuters)