Mpenza worry for Belgium

Mbo Mpenza has been ruled out of Belgium's pre-World Cup friendly against a local all-star team.

Mpenza had been suffering from a thigh strain for several days, but with two more days of rest he should be ready for Sunday's final warm-up game against Costa Rica.

The Belgian squad has been ravaged by injuries in the build-up to the World Cup finals, not least to Mpenza's brother Emile.

The star Schalke striker had to pull out of the World Cup only two weeks ago because of a hamstring injury.

The rest of the Belgium side will play their first match since arriving on Thursday against the Kyushu All Stars, a selection of the best players on the southern Japanese island.