Belgium made sweeping changes as coach Marc Wilmots named a 24-man squad for their last two Euro 2016 qualifiers against Andorra and Israel with the hope of securing the team’s place at next year’s finals in France.
Laurent Depoitre, Sven Kums and Matz Sels were named from champions Ghent while Jordan Lukaku of surprise leaders Oostende and Petro Cavanda from Turkish club Trabzonspor also received first call ups to the national team.
There was also a surprise recall for Zakaria Bakkali, capped as a 17-year-old two years ago.
Belgium will ensure a top two finish in Group B if they beat Andorra away on October 10.
They trail leaders Wales by a single point and are four ahead of third-placed Israel.
Lichtsteiner has heart surgery
Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has undergone heart surgery to cure breathing problems and will be out for a month.
The Switzerland international suffered breathing difficulties during last week’s match with Frosinone which Juventus said were caused by a “benign cardiac arrhythmia (atrial flutter) which later stopped of its own accord”.
The 31-year-old underwent tests over the following days and it was determined by specialists that an operation would be the best course of action.
Unruly supporters
Borussia Dortmund can expect a hefty fine from UEFA after their fans threw flares and fireworks onto the pitch and clashed with police during their Europa League game at PAOK in Greece on Thursday, club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said.
Hundreds of Dortmund fans were involved in the clashes in the stands of Toumba stadium during their 1-1 draw as well as after the end of the game.
“Our fans started it. This cannot be tolerated,” Watzke said.
“We had made things clear to the groups in question before the game. Now there will be a sensitive sanction against us.”
Watford manager ‘loves’ English refs
Officials are often made out to be the villains of the piece when it comes to any sport, but Watford’s Spanish boss Quique Sanchez Flores says he loves the high-quality refereeing in the Premier League.
Spanish football is too stop-start for the 50-year-old’s liking and he appreciates the way English referees let the game flow, the manager told reporters.
“The style in Spain is different: stop game, stop game. In England it’s quick. I’m very happy with the style,” said Sanchez Flores who managed Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Getafe before taking the Watford job in June.
“If it’s not a strong foul, carry on.”
Real jump the gun on Ronaldo record
Real Madrid paid homage to Cristiano Ronaldo as their outright leading scorer yesterday even though the official statistics show he has yet to overhaul former Spain striker Raul.
Real, and some Spanish media, believe an effort five years ago that was deemed an own goal by centre-back Pepe should have been awarded to the Portugal captain and he therefore has 324 goals, one more than Raul.
The disputed goal came in a La Liga game at Real Sociedad in September 2010 when Ronaldo’s shot arrowed towards the Sociedad wall, looped up off Pepe’s back and over goalkeeper Claudio Bravo into the net.
Ronaldo needed a mere 308 matches across seven seasons to equal Raul’s tally of 323, amassed in 741 games over 16 years.
Beckham backs Giggs for manager
David Beckham believes his old team-mate Ryan Giggs will be the perfect choice to succeed Louis van Gaal as the next Manchester United manager.
Van Gaal, 64, was appointed to the job last year and has said on more than one occasion this season he will leave and retire in 2017.
Beckham said he had no doubt that his former team-mate and “Class of 92” graduate will make a success of the job if he takes it.
“Ryan is manager material. He’s got that streak that runs through him that you need to be a top manager,” Beckham said.
“He has learnt from Alex Ferguson over the years, he is learning from Van Gaal now. Without a doubt all fans would like to see Giggsy, at some point, be manager of United.”
Vardy injury no problem for country
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has dismissed any fitness fears over Jamie Vardy linking up with England.
The league’s top scorer has two broken bones in his wrist and has been wearing a cast while playing for the Foxes. He has been called up for England’s final two Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania next week.
Ranieri said: “He has two broken bones but the medical staff have done very well to treat it.
“He is in great condition and deserves to go there (with England). He deserves to be in the squad but it is up to Roy Hodgson to choose the players.”