Thibaut Courtois out of Belgium friendly but should be fit for Tottenham
Sunday 25 March 2018 13:41, UK
Thibaut Courtois has returned to Chelsea early from international duty with Belgium, but coach Roberto Martinez confirmed Courtois should be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.
Antonio Conte confirmed Courtois was suffering from a "muscular problem" ahead of last week's FA Cup quarter-final win against Leicester City.
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The 25-year-old decided to join up with Martinez's Belgium squad despite the issue and hoped to recover in time for Tuesday's international friendly against Saudi Arabia, however, medical staff with the Belgium national side decided Courtois had not recovered in time for the match and confirmed the goalkeeper will return to Chelsea continue his rehabilitation.
"Thibaut Courtois, from a coaching perspective, will not be fit for Tuesday but could be okay to play at the weekend [against Tottenham] for his club. For Tuesday it is too early and a risk.
"I think it's a great opportunity for Simon [Mignolet] to have back-to-back international fixtures.
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"We are not going to take any chances with anyone. The medical team felt he [Courtois] would not be 100 per cent for Tuesday."
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will start for Belgium against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
