Manchester United star Romelu Lukaku’s injury fears played down by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez
The £75m striker struggling with ankle knock he picked up before the win over Crystal Palace before international break
ROBERTO MARTINEZ has played down injury fears over Romelu Lukaku – but has promised Jose Mourinho he will not rush him back.
The Belgium striker has an ankle problem which he picked up in training with Manchester United before Saturday’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace – a game he played in and scored.
Lukaku, 24, has not been training with his country and is unlikely to play in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Bosnia.
But Martinez still hopes his hitman will be available for Tuesday’s home game with Cyprus, although he will not risk him unless he is fully fit.
The Belgium boss said: “Romelu is working separately. He hasn’t joined the group yet since he arrived. We need to be a little bit patient.
“For me, I see that it is a bit difficult for him to be involved on Saturday, but we are still hopeful that he can be involved on Tuesday.
“He wants to play but he hasn’t been able to train with the group and it is important that he gets his ankle fully recovered.
“It’s a period of season that is really, really busy.
“It is a situation that he brought from his club level and they are very much aware.
“We need to be careful that we don’t rush him into anything. But we hope he is going to be fully fit very, very soon.”
