Belgium are preparing for decisive Nations League fixtures against Turkey in Izmir and Italy in Brussels. Jeremy Doku has recovered from injury to give coach Mark van Bommel a selection dilemma among five available wingers. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku is sidelined for the Turkey match due to hip discomfort, though he continues to train. The team currently holds six points and must climb into the top two of Group A1 to secure qualification.
Key points
Belgium must secure positive results against Turkey and Italy to qualify for the quarter-…: Belgium must secure positive results against Turkey and Italy to qualify for the quarter-finals in March.
The squad sits third in Group A1 with six points, trailing Italy by one point and France…: The squad sits third in Group A1 with six points, trailing Italy by one point and France by four.
Team management hopes Romelu Lukaku will recover in time to face Italy on Sunday in Bruss…: Team management hopes Romelu Lukaku will recover in time to face Italy on Sunday in Brussels.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Nov 11 : The return of Jeremy Doku to the Belgium squad has handed coach Mark van Bommel a luxury problem, he said on Wednesday.
Doku, who was ill during the World Cup and had a subdued tournament, missed the opening four matches of the new Nations League campaign in September and October because of injury.
The winger is now fit, however, for their last two Group A1 fixtures against Turkey in Izmir on Thursday and Italy in Brussels on Sunday.
"I'm very pleased to have Jeremy back in the squad," Van Bommel told a press conference.
"It certainly makes selecting the starting line-up more difficult, but I think all five wingers are capable of playing on either side. It's a puzzle, but a nice problem to have. I can't give you an answer yet as to who will play," he said.
Belgium, however, will be without record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku.
"Romelu is having some problems with his hip. He was already feeling it yesterday. He is still able to train, but we have mutually decided not to include him…
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