AFP, PARIS: A regular for Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham this season, midfielder Moussa Sissoko is however fighting for a place in Didier Deschamps France plans for the World Cup in Russia.

As a fans' favourite the 28-year-old from a tough Parisian suburb heard his name ring out in stadiums across France during Euro 2016, but after a transfer and tricky first season at Tottenham, his star seemed on the wane.

He played 16 times for France in 2016, but only three times the following year after his transfer from Newcastle to Spurs.

“It's the coach's choice and you just have to take it,” Sissoko told AFP in from the Parisian suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois, where Sissoko was attending a youth tournament.

“I had a difficult start to last season at Tottenham due to a late transfer and not getting in much training.