Romelu Lukaku must be fit enough to compete in the World Cup group stage, according to Belgium coach Roberto Martinez, or he won't be chosen.
Martinez is delaying making a decision about the Inter Milan forward, who has been out with a hamstring injury and is working his way back to fitness, until Thursday when he names his squad for Qatar.
With only days until the squad is chosen, the 102-cap international may be in a race against time to be ready or even selected for Qatar after missing the most recent international break in September due to injury.
Romelu Lukaku must be physically capable of competing in the group stages in order to be chosen for Belgium.
Boss Roberto Martinez will make a last minute decision on the country's all-time top goalscorer
Boss Roberto Martinez will make a last minute decision on the country's all-time top goalscorer
'The decision will be made just before we announce the list,' Martinez was quoted by L'Equipe via Reuters.
'It will relate to the three first round matches. If he is fit to participate in one of those, he is a player we want in our team. If he cannot, he will not be selected.'
Lukaku, who is Belgium's all-time leading goal scorer with 68 goals in 102 games, is undergoing daily tests with Belgium team doctors having made two substitute appearances for Inter since August.
Inter Milan striker Lukaku is undergoing daily tests with Belgium team doctors on his injury
Inter Milan striker Lukaku is undergoing daily tests with Belgium team doctors on his injury
Belgium open their campaign against Canada on November 23, before meeting Morocco four days later and Croatia on December 1.
'We are seeing signs of improvement, but we will wait until just before the announcement to give us more time,' Martinez added.
'We have to assess the improvement to help estimate the timeline for his recovery. If he's fit by Dec. 1, he'll be with us.'
It has been a nightmare start to the season for Lukaku since returning to Serie A giants Inter on loan in the summer following a disaster season at Chelsea last term.
The 29-year-old has played just five times for Simone Inzaghi's men after suffering multiple injuries so far this campaign.
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