Belgium have sent standby defender Laurent Ciman home, placing faith in the fitness of captain Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen ahead of their World Cup opener against Panama on Monday. Kompany injured his groin in a friendly against Portugal, while Vermaelen suffered a hamstring problem last month.
With this development, Head coach, Roberto Martinez will be hoping the duo do not suffer relapses. Defender Laurent Ciman had been training with Belgium in Russia in case Kompany or Vermaelen failed fitness tests, however, Martinez still has Tottenham Hotspur pair Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, as well as Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata to call upon in central defence.