ZCZC
BSP-18
FBL-EURO-2020-BEL-KAZ-SMR,SQUAD
Injured De Bruyne out of Belgium Euro 2020 qualifiers squad
BRUSSELS, Oct 4, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Manchester City midfielder Kevin De
Bruyne was left out of Belgium’s squad for their upcoming Euro 2020
qualifiers due to a groin injury, coach Roberto Martinez announced on Friday.
De Bruyne, 28, missed City’s midweek Champions League win over Dinamo
Zagreb after suffering the injury in the Premier League victory over Everton
on September 28.
Former captain Vincent Kompany and Lyon defender Jason Denayer also miss
out due to fitness issues.
There are doubts about goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, forward Romelu Lukaku
and defender Thomas Meunier with Martinez saying a decision about the three
will be made on Monday.
Martinez added he was “relatively optimistic” about Courtois who was
replaced at half-time in Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Club Brugge on Tuesday
due to a stomach problem.
The Red Devils sit top of their group unbeaten before hosting San Marino
on October 10 before travelling to Kazakhstan three days later.
Belgium squad
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/ESP), Simon Mignolet (Club
Brugge), Matz Sels (Strasbourg/FRA), Hendrik Van Crombrugge (Anderlecht)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Dedryck Boyata
(Hertha Berlin/GER), Timothy Castagne (Atalanta/ITA), Leander Dendoncker
(Wolves/ENG), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Vermaelen (Vissel
Kobe/JAP), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Thomas Meunier (Paris
Saint-Germain/FRA)
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang/CHN), Nacer Chadli
(Anderlecht), Dennis Praet (Leicester City/ENG), Maxime Lestienne (Standard
Liege), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City/ENG), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge),
Yari Verschaeren (Anderlecht), Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund/GER)
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea/ENG), Christian Benteke (Crystal
Palace/ENG), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid/ESP), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia
Dortmund/GER), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad/ESP), Romelu Lukaku (Inter/ITA),
Dries Mertens (Naples/ITA), Divock Origi (Liverpool/ENG)
BSS/AFP/SSS/2024 hrs