Belgium
are confident that Chelsea duo Thibault Courtois and Eden Hazard will both
be fit to feature in their upcoming European qualifiers against Andorra and
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Goalkeeper Courtois was taken to hospital with blood seeping from his ear
after a collision with Alexis Sanchez during Saturday’s win over Arsenal,
while Hazard picked up an injury to his toe in the same game.
Hazard has joined up with the Belgium squad already, but Courtois has been
told by doctors to remain in England and rest for a further 24 hours before
joining training on Thursday.
Belgium’s assistant coach Vital Borkelmans said: “Yesterday Thibault spoke
to the head coach Marc Wilmots on the phone and said he feels good.
“Normally he would have joined the group today and trained tomorrow but
things are fine.”
Yet to play their first Group B qualifier, Belgium host Andorra at the Stade
Roi Baudouin in Brussels on Friday night before travelling to Zenica to take
on Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday.
Concerns have been raised over the incident with Courtois after he was
allowed to play on for 14 minutes following the blow to the head, before
being substituted for Petr Cech.
Chelsea have defended their actions, stating he suffered a minor cut to the
ear, and Courtois himself tweeted following the game: "Thanks for all the
messages! I'm already feeling better. Now I'm resting to be recovered and
back on the pitch soon. Great victory yesterday."
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