Romelu Lukaku, the striker of Roma, has been declared unfit for Saturday’s friendly match between Belgium and the Republic of Ireland at Aviva Stadium. He joins others like Thibaut Courtois, real Madrid’s goalkeeper, and Manchester City’s midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, on the list of high-profile absentees for the Red Devils. The Royal Belgium FA clarified that Lukaku is suffering from a slightly strenuous groin and won’t be able to play against Ireland. However, he will accompany the team to Dublin and England on Friday.
Belgium, the world’s fourth-best football nation, will go up against England, ranked third by Fifa, at Wembley on Tuesday. That same day, the Republic of Ireland, managed by John O’Shea, will play against Switzerland at Aviva Stadium.
Thibaut Courtois’ return to the Belgian team for Euro 2024 remains uncertain due to a continuous disagreement with national manager Domenico Tedesco. Tedesco admitted to trying all possible measures to harmonise the relationship with Courtois, who is set to restart his game in April after recovery from a knee operation. Courtois responded to Tedesco’s statements by posting three Pinocchio emojis on X.
With Tedesco’s contract running till the World Cup 2026, Courtois, who’s now 31, might have to pause his international career for a significant period.
In other news, John O’Shea has invited Brian Maher, Derry City’s goalkeeper, into the training group after his remarkable performance against Bohemians the previous Friday. With Liam Scales and Troy Parrott being injured, no replacements have been named. O’Shea has to pick a left-back from Robbie Brady, Matt Doherty and Callum O’Dowda, while the list of current striker contenders includes Evan Ferguson, Adam Idah and Michael Obafemi, superseding Parrott.