Skip to content

Thibaut Courtois out of Belgium friendly but should be fit for Tottenham

Thibaut Courtois during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge
Image: Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn from the Belgium squad to face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday

Thibaut Courtois has returned to Chelsea early from international duty with Belgium, but coach Roberto Martinez confirmed Courtois should be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Antonio Conte confirmed Courtois was suffering from a "muscular problem" ahead of last week's FA Cup quarter-final win against Leicester City.

Live Nissan Super Sunday

The 25-year-old decided to join up with Martinez's Belgium squad despite the issue and hoped to recover in time for Tuesday's international friendly against Saudi Arabia, however, medical staff with the Belgium national side decided Courtois had not recovered in time for the match and confirmed the goalkeeper will return to Chelsea continue his rehabilitation.

"Thibaut Courtois, from a coaching perspective, will not be fit for Tuesday but could be okay to play at the weekend [against Tottenham] for his club. For Tuesday it is too early and a risk.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gabriele Marcotti believes Chelsea and Antonio Conte are in limbo regarding the manager’s future - with neither party wanting to blink first.

"I think it's a great opportunity for Simon [Mignolet] to have back-to-back international fixtures.

"We are not going to take any chances with anyone. The medical team felt he [Courtois] would not be 100 per cent for Tuesday."

Also See:

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will start for Belgium against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Could you win the next Super 6 jackpot?
Could you win the next Super 6 jackpot?

Enter your scoreline predictions now for next Saturday's round of the free-to-play game.

Around Sky