Ex-Celtic star Jason Denayer handed last-gasp World Cup reprieve as defender gets Belgium call
BELGIUM added former Celtic centre-back Jason Denayer to their training camp in Kuwait yesterday as cover ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Denayer, who now plays for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, was a surprise omission from coach Roberto Martinez’s 26-man squad for the finals.
He was placed on a four-man standby list and there are now fitness concerns over defender Jan Vertonghen, who did not feature in any of Anderlecht’s last three games ahead of the World Cup.
Belgium will face Egypt in a final warm-up match in Kuwait tomorrow, ahead of their Group F opener against Canada next Wednesday.
Martinez has until 24 hours before Belgium’s opening match to replace any injured members of his squad.
He is also sweating on the fitness of forward Romelu Lukaku, who has played only twice since August after thigh and hamstring problems.
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The 27-year old spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Celtic from Manchester City, winning a Premiership and League Cup double.
He formed a formidable defensive pairing with Virgil van Dijk during his only season in Scottish football.
Denayer returned to the Etihad after that season but never made a first team breakthrough and eventually moved permanently to Lyon in 2018.
He spent four years in France and made over 100 Ligue 1 appearances before becoming a free agent in the summer just gone.
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After over two months without a club, having been strongly linked with English Premier League side Wolves, he moved to the UAE in September.
Despite making five appearances, he couldn't make the final cut in Martinez's squad for Qatar 2022.
However, he has a late reprieve and could yet be involved in the setup after all.
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