Vertonghen out, Hazard in: Belgium injury worries take shift
LILLE, France (AP) - Belgium's injury problems ahead of its European Championship quarterfinal against Wales have shifted from Eden Hazard to Jan Vertonghen.
While captain Hazard has recovered from a thigh injury in time for Friday's game in Lille, Vertonghen has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament after tearing ligaments in his left ankle.
The Tottenham defender twisted his ankle while kicking a ball with his other foot at the end of a training session at the team's base near Bordeaux on Thursday morning.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said that Vertonghen traveled with the team to Lille where a MRI scan revealed the extent of the injury.
"Gutted to say that my Euros is over. Good luck to my teammates for the rest of the competition," Vertonghen wrote on his Twitter account.
"It's a sporting tragedy for him. Mentally and physically he was completely fit," Wilmots said, adding that Vertonghen would likely need six to eight weeks for recovery.
Wilmots said the team was not in shock after losing its most-capped player (83 games) for the rest of the competition.
"No, everyone's thoughts are with Vertonghen. It's tricky but we've got alternatives," the coach said.
The absence of Vertonghen increases Wilmots' defensive worries ahead of the Wales game. With regulars Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Lombaerts not at the tournament due to injury and Thomas Vermaelen sitting out a suspension, Wilmots will have to rely on a less-experienced replacement.
With Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Meunier as expected starters, the coach will have to choose between Laurent Ciman (one cap), Jordan Lukaku (four) and Jason Denayer (seven), or even let Christian Kabasele have his debut game.
"Those players have been with us for years. We have options," Wilmots said. "Mentally they are ready to play. They knew they can come in if we lose someone because of suspension or injury."
Jordan Lukaku, who is the younger brother of striker Romelu, said before Vertonghen got injured that he wasn't counting on any playing time.
"I came to the tournament just to complete the squad. I didn't expect to get any minutes," Jordan Lukaku said.
Wales coach Chris Coleman tried to downplay the impact of Vertonghen's absence, acknowledging it was "a big loss to Belgium" but adding "they've got so much talent" in order to find suitable replacements.
The good news for Wilmots, though, is that he can stop worrying about his captain.
Hazard picked up a right thigh injury Sunday while leading Belgium to its 4-0 drubbing of Hungary in the last 16. The Chelsea winger skipped training sessions with the team the following days but returned to the field Thursday - with his thigh taped.
"My injury is OK. I was able to train this morning," Hazard said. "I didn't feel much pain. The game is tomorrow so I can still have treatment."
Hazard regretted the absence of Vertonghen, with whom he has formed a well-established duo on Belgium's left wing over the years.
"We had a good tournament together, but unfortunately accidents happen," Hazard said.
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AP Sports Writer Steve Douglas in Bordeaux contributed to this report.