Belgium make sweeping changes for Euro 2016 double-header
Friday 2 October 2015 12:36, UK
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has made sweeping changes for their final two Euro 2016 qualifiers against Andorra and Israel.
Wilmots included five newcomers in his 24-man squad as he bids to secure the team's place at next year's finals in France.
Laurent Depoitre, Sven Kums and Matz Sels were named from champions Ghent while Jordan Lukaku of surprise leaders Oostende and Petro Cavanda from Turkish club Trabzonspor also received first call ups to the national team.
There was also a surprise recall for Zakaria Bakkali, capped as a 17-year-old two years ago.
Captain Vincent Kompany was also selected despite recent injury concerns about the Manchester City skipper.
Trending
- Fury rages: I was robbed... Usyk got a Christmas gift!
- Highlights: Usyk overcomes Fury in epic heavyweight rematch
- Usyk denies Fury in intense world championship rematch
- 'He got a Christmas gift!' | Fury left fuming in post-fight press conference
- Papers: Arsenal, Man City and Bayern in three-way battle for Olmo
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Could Maguire leave Man Utd for free next summer?
- Littler tested on emotional Worlds return: 'Never felt anything like that'
- PL Predictions: Liverpool to edge Spurs on Super Sunday
- World Darts Championship schedule: Anderson headlines Sunday's action
- 'Uncle Frank is blind!' | Usyk responds to Fury complaints
"He is to see a specialist in London but I spoke to him yesterday and he is keen to join up with the squad and I see him being available for the game against Israel," said Wilmots.
Belgium have to do without the injured Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Vermaelen, Moussa Dembele and Christian Benteke while Adnan Januzaj and Michy Batshuayi were dropped after Belgium's two victories last month over Bosnia at home and Cyprus away.
Belgium will ensure a top two finish in Group B if they beat Andorra away on Oct. 10. They trail leaders Wales by a single point and are four ahead of third placed Israel who they host in Brussels on Oct. 13.
Goalkeepers: Jean-Francois Gillet (Mechelen), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Matz Sels (Ghent)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Luis Pedro Cavanda (Trabzonspor), Jason Denayer (Galatasaray), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg), Jordan Lukaku (Oostende), Thomas Meunier (Club Brugge), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Zakaria Bakkali (Valencia), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Sven Kums (Ghent), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Radja Nainggolan (Roma), Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg)
Forwards: Laurent Depoitre (Ghent), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Divock Origi (Liverpool).
