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Roberto Martinez provides Thomas Vermaelen, Vincent Kompany update

Martinez issues Vermaelen, Kompany update
© Reuters
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez hopes that defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Vincent Kompany will be back from injury before the end of the 2018 World Cup group stages.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has said that he is hopeful Thomas Vermaelen and Vincent Kompany will be back from injury before the end of the 2018 World Cup group stages.

Vermaelen is batting to overcome a hamstring problem that he suffered with Barcelona last month, while Manchester City captain Kompany picked up a groin injury in Belgium's pre-tournament friendly with Portugal.

Neither player will take part in Belgium's Group G opener against Panama on Monday, but Martinez has tipped both Vermaelen and Kompany to be involved before the knockout stages.

"Thomas Vermaelen has improved really well, a little bit like we expected," Martinez told reporters.

"He's not going to be involved in the game against Panama and that is going to be a decision to see about using him accordingly depending on his match fitness. Medically I think he could be fit for the next two games.

"With Kompany we're going to take through tomorrow to make the final call as we follow through the procedure.

"We are confident as well with the progress he has made since the Portugal game that he will be available to be involved in the third game of the group phase."

Belgium's second Group G match is against Tunisia on June 23, before facing England in their third fixture on June 28.

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Romelu Lukaku in action during the Champions League round-of-16 game between Manchester United and Sevilla on March 13, 2018
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Group A

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Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

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Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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