MART’S INJURY PUZZLE
Belgium v Panama: Fisht Stadium, Tomorrow, BBC, 4pm
ROBERTO MARTINEZ has taken a risk with Belgium’s World Cup chances by gambling on the fitness of injury-prone defenders Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen.
The Red Devils chief is banking on the pair winning their respective battles as he sent home standby centre-half Laurent Ciman.
But he admitted that Kompany, who is struggling with a groin problem won’t be fit until the clash against England on June 28 – at the earliest.
Manchester City’s skipper suffered the setback during a friendly against Portugal and was not seen at training yesterday.
While Vermaelen has an issue with his hamstring and remained in Moscow to recover while the remainder of the squad flew to Sochi to prepare for Monday’s Group G opener against Panama.
Belgium play with three at the back and appear to have ample resources with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
But beyond Dedryck Boyata there is only Anderlecht’s rookie Leander Dendoncker – and Martinez (above) appeared unusually confused when trying to justify his decision.
He said: “The risk is something I don’t want to go into. Look, a player can be injured at any minute.
“Thomas Vermaelen has shown when he is available that he can be ready to perform. He is an out-and-out defender who has done that many times.
“And Vincent Kompany has been in this situation for a long time now.
“So I took the decision to use his experience around the group.
“I’m very confident with his progress since the Portugal game. I’m confident he will be available for the last game of the group phase.
“He too has the experience to be able to perform straightaway. But we do have another four centrehalves who are willing to perform.”
Meanwhile Adnan Januzaj simply shrugged off criticism that his X-rated lunged at Kevin de Bruyne was anything out of the ordinary.
The former Manchester United playmaker was filmed charging into De Bruyne but said: “It was just the intensity of training. It happens.”