Double injury blow for Belgium

Coach Robert Waseige has suffered a double injury blow ahead of their World Cup opener against Japan in Saitama tomorrow.

Left-back Nico Van Kerckhoven and centre-back Glen De Boeck have failed to recover from leg injuries in time to face the co-hosts.

Schalke’s Van Kerckhoven may struggle to recover in time for Belgium’s second game against Tunisia on June 10 while De Boeck said he was ‘‘about 80% fit’’ after the squad’s final training session at Saitama Stadium.

Belgium were already missing the injured Joos Valgaeren in defence and Waseige will now have to turn to 34-year-old Eric Van Meir and Peter Van der Heyden, who only has a handful of caps.