De Bruyne the notable absentee for Belgium's visit to Dublin

Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco announced his squad for the friendlies against Ireland on March 26 and England at Wembley three days later.

NOT INCLUDED: Kevin De Bruyne has not been included in the Belgium squad for their upcoming international friendlies due to a minor groin injury. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Kevin De Bruyne will be absent from Lansdowne Road for the second Belgian visit in a row on Saturday week after the Manchester City talisman was ruled out with a groin injury.

Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco announced his squad for the friendlies against Ireland on March 23 and England at Wembley three days later but the talking point revolved around a name missing from the list.

De Bruyne has only returned to full fitness from a five-month layoff due to a hamstring tear but was visibly annoyed with his manager Pep Guardiola when substituted in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against title rivals Liverpool.

Now, he’s been omitted from his national team due to the avoidance of risks.

“I don't know if there is a connection with his hamstring injury (but) now concerns a problem with the groin that he has been struggling with in recent matches,” Tedesco, who today penned a contract extension to the 2026 World Cup, said about his stricken captain.

“Yesterday I spoke with the doctor and Kevin and we decided that the risk is too great. It is our responsibility to take into account the player, but also the player's team. It must make sense to call up a player. If he cannot play or train, it is our responsibility to protect him. It's better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the European Championship. We can't take any risks now, especially not with Kevin.” 

De Bruyne was one of the big names missing from the last Belgium squad that came to Dublin exactly two years ago for a 2-2 draw but that was owing to a policy of then boss Roberto Martinez of blooding players with 50 caps or fewer.

Aside from De Bruyne, they have picked a full-strength squad this time as their build-up to the Euro finals in June ratchets up.

They have dropped from being the top-ranked team in the world to fourth, with fears that the ageing of their golden generation has scuppered their chances of major tournament success.

The Red Devils are grouped at this summer’s Euros with Slovakia, Romania and a winner from this month’s playoff series.

Romelu Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi – who opened the scoring on that last trip - lead the array of attacking firepower, complemented by winger Jeremy Doku, a clubmate of De Bruyne at City.

Former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, at 36 and with 153 caps to his name, is the veteran of the squad.

Other familiar faces are Premier League stars Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard and Amadou Onana while teenager Arthur Vermeeren, a recent signing by Atlético Madrid, is their rising star.

Ireland’s squad for their double-header, which concludes at home to Switzerland on March 26, will be unveiled by caretaker head coach John O’Shea at lunchtime.

BELGIUM SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS: Arnaud Bodart, Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels 

DEFENDERS: Jan Vertonghen, Timothy Castagne, Koni De Winter, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Arthur Theate.

MIDFIELDERS: Olivier Deman, Dodi Lukebakio, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Aster Vranckx, Jeremy Doku.

FORWARDS: Johan Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi, Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard.