Belgium coach Roberto Martinez admits Inter striker Romelu Lukaku could be fully fit only for the ‘second part’ of the World Cup.
The Chelsea loanee has been called up by his national team for Qatar 2022, but has only featured in five games at a club level this season.
He made his return after almost two months in a Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen earlier this month but sustained another injury in the following Serie A match with Sampdoria.
“Romelu is medically not fit, I think that’s clear. Romelu is receiving treatment and has the opportunity to get himself fully fit before our first game,” Belgium CT Martinez said at a press conference.
“As you know, the World Cup has two different phases, one is the group phase, the only one we can prepare for.
“Then there is the knock-out phase. Medically, we feel Lukaku could make the second part, we must be responsible and think of all the possible scenarios, we think he can have a big impact in this World Cup.”
Martinez denied that Lukaku is undergoing a special treatment to return to action as soon as possible.
“It’s not a special treatment, it’s good to look back and do with our resources. We have a very experienced medical staff. It’s a normal way of working, Lukaku is an important player, and now we’ll try to bring him on the pitch.”
Lukaku returned to Inter on loan last summer after a disappointing one-year spell at Chelsea.
He has scored two goals in five appearances with the Nerazzurri this term.
During his previous two-year spell with Inter, he scored 64 goals in 95 matches, winning the Serie A title under Antonio Conte in 2020-21.