Romelu Lukaku facing axe as Belgium aim to recover from poor start

As Belgium gear up to take their early Euro 2016 frustrations out on Ireland, it has emerged Everton striker Romelu Lukaku could be culled from the side which lost their opener to Italy on Monday.

Marc Wilmots has vowed to make a couple of changes for the match in Bordeaux which Belgium are expected to win and kickstart their pursuit for a first major trophy with a group of players Martin O’Neill rates as the best of any nation at the tournament.

Ireland’s Everton contingent of Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and, possibly, Aiden McGeady were due to square up against their Toffees teammate Lukaku but Divock Origi, Chelsea target Michy Batshuayi and Liverpool’s Christian Benteke are also battling for one of what will likely be two berths in attack.