Belgium manager Roberto Martinez confirms Inter striker Romelu Lukaku is desperate to get on the pitch at the World Cup. ‘If I listen to the medics, he’ll be ready for the third game, if I listen to him, it’s possible for the second.’
The Red Devils begin their campaign in Qatar against Canada on Wednesday, then face Morocco on November 27 and Marcelo Brozovic’s Croatia on December 1.
Martinez held his traditional pre-match press conference and was asked about the availability of his players.
“I have 25 players in great shape, the only one who isn’t is Lukaku,” said the coach.
“We are happy with the progress he is making, but don’t know yet if he’ll be fully fit for the second or third game. He had a very good session yesterday, not with the rest of the group, but is progressing consistently.”
Lukaku has to be careful, because it was just days after his comeback from two months out with Inter that he suffered a relapse to that left thigh strain.
That latest injury let him a major doubt to feature at all in the World Cup for Belgium.
Martinez is well aware that Lukaku’s hunger to be on the field could be counterproductive in the long run.
“If I listen to the medics, he’ll be ready for the third game. If I listen to him, it’s possible to have him back for the second match.”
Lukaku has been struggling with injury ever since he returned to Inter from Chelsea on loan in the summer.
His first thigh strain was towards the end of August, he returned in October and managed two appearances before the relapse.