Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots has established that Jan Vertonghen will be out of Euro 2016 crusade after he sustained torn ankle ligaments is going through six to eight weeks out.
The Tottenham defender, who has predominantly featured at left-back during the tournament in France, sustained the injury during coaching forward of Belgium's quarter-final tie against Wales on Friday.
Vertonghen's absence is a blow to Wilmots, who's already with out suspended Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen.
"I blew the whistle to stop coaching and he became his ankle as he brought the ball down," Wilmots told a pre-match news conference on Thursday.
"He had a scan here and he has torn two or three external ligaments, which mean his Euros are over.
"it can be a sporting tragedy for him - I won't say it is an actual tragedy. He was once thoroughly fit mentally and bodily however fate determined that on this unique movement he would do 10,000 occasions that he tore his ligament.
"He used to be our vice-captain and now we have acquired Thomas Vermaelen, who's banned. However we have now bought choices. We face a problematic fixture but the avid gamers have been with us for four years.
"we have options there. We're considering ahead, to the long run. We've got bought 19 avid gamers match and competent to play and we need to attempt to get into the last 4."
asked a couple of timescale for Vertonghen's return, Wilmots brought: "based on our forecast it will have to be between six and eight weeks.
"He suffered the same damage before and it took about that long to get well. But it relies on his rehabilitation.
"we have now been in touch with [Tottenham head coach Mauricio] Pochettino and the Tottenham general practitioner."
Belgium, who have been with out injured captain Vincent Kompany in France, had been anticipated to shift Vertonghen into the centre to partner club-mate Toby Alderweireld with Jordan Lukaku coming in at left-back.
Nevertheless, Vertonghen's absence may just now hand an opportunity to 21-yrs old Jason Denayer when Belgium face Wales in Lille.