Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has been handed an international boost ahead of this season's summer break.
The 21-year-old was named among Sylvain Ripoll's France U-21 squad for the upcoming U-21 European Championships Knockout Round, and could be set to make his debut at that level this coming week.
Meslier has featured for France's U-18, U-19 and U-20 groups but not yet with the U-21s, due to the vast experience of current No. 1 Alban Lafont.
Lafont plays for French club Nantes, who are embroiled in the relegation play-off from France's top flight, also set to take place this week.
France play Netherlands in the U-21 Euros' quarter final on May 31, with the Ligue 1 relegation play-off matches scheduled for May 27 and May 30.
Subsequently, Lafont has been forced to withdraw from the squad in order to focus on finishing the club campaign.
While AS Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Etienne Green has been named as Lafont's replacement in the squad, it is Meslier who is likely to replace the Nantes man on the field.
Lafont started each of France's group games in the competition back in March, with Meslier consigned to a watching brief from the bench.
Now, the Leeds United man is likely to get his opportunity, just as he did with the Whites towards the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
Kiko Casilla had been the club's No. 1 for much of his time at the club, until an FA ban resulted in an eight-game suspension.
Meslier stepped in and has not looked back, laying claim to the No. 1 jersey at Elland Road whilst also becoming one of Europe's top five leagues' youngest regular starting goalkeepers.
If history is anything to go by, Meslier's track record at Leeds suggests Lafont may well be leapfrogged by Meslier - who will no doubt have designs on the senior France squad in future.
