Belgium captain Vincent Kompany has withdrawn from the forthcoming friendlies against Italy and Spain, national team manager Marc Wilmots has announced.
On Wednesday, Wilmots sought to play down fears over the Manchester City defender's fitness after he sat out full training with his international team-mates for a second consecutive day.
But on Thursday Wilmots confirmed on his personal Twitter account that Kompany would not be available for the following day's match against Italy or next Tuesday's meeting with European champions Spain.
Anderlecht's Steven Defour will replace Kompany in the squad.
Wilmots tweeted: "Vincent Kompany leaves the squad, out for Italy and Spain. Steven Defour joined the group this afternoon."
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
‘He’ll still be playing at 40 at a good level because he’s in such good shape and looks after himself so well. He does everything to be a top professional’: Ex-Liverpool coach insists Mohamed Salah has plenty more miles in the tank
