Alexis Saelemaekers is likely to miss the World Cup after picking up an injury in AC Milan’s match with Empoli at the weekend.
While Saelemaekers hasn’t played for Belgium since March, he has remained in the squad as a useful backup option in the attacking midfield and wing-back positions.
He was set to play such a role at the World Cup but it now looks unlikely that he’ll do so due to the injury he picked up against Empoli.
The 23-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury, and according to Het Nieuwsblad, his recovery will consist of two weeks of rest followed by four to six weeks of rehabilitation.
Given that, he likely won’t be fit again until late November at the earliest, around the time that the World Cup will get underway.
At that point though, he’ll still be lacking in match fitness, so it looks unlikely that Roberto Martinez will select him in his 26-man squad.
Indeed, his club have reportedly already ruled him out of going to Qatar.
