Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to be risked in Belgium’s concluding World Cup Group G game against England in Kaliningrad on Thursday.
The Manchester United striker has been in superb form so far in Russia, scoring a brace in each of the wins over Panama and Tunisia.
But Lukaku sustained external ligament damage to his left ankle in the latter 5-2 victory and, although head coach Roberto Martinez reported good news on his No 9’s progress, he seems set to sit the match out with qualification for the knockout stages already secured.
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‘With Romelu Lukaku, we had very good news on the scan. He had no further damage but it is still uncomfortable,’ Martinez told his pre-match news conference on the eve of the game.
‘At the moment, he is still in the recovery phase and had a really difficult knock against Tunisia.
‘We are happy, tomorrow is probably one day too early, but I don’t think he is going to take any longer than that.’
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Martinez has already floated the idea of wholesale changes against England, in a game where he claims victory is not a ‘priority’ for his side.
Lukaku lies joint-second on four goals alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot, one shy of England captain Harry Kane.
