Belgium move Liverpool striker Divock Origi into U21 squad
Friday 6 November 2015 16:12, UK
Liverpool striker Divock Origi has been moved from the full Belgium squad to their U21 group for a key international this month.
Origi has been left out of the senior side for the first time since last year's World Cup as Belgium seek to strengthen their U21s for a qualifier against the Czech Republic on November 12.
Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj, who is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund, has turned down the request to play for the U21s.
"Enzo Scifo (the U21 coach) had him on the phone for 20 minutes but he rather wants to stay at his club. I have taken note of that," senior manager Marc Wilmots said.
Liverpool's Christian Benteke, Moussa Dembele of Spurs and former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, now of Barcelona, all return after injury for the matches in Brussels against Italy and Spain on November 13 and 17.
In total, there are 10 Premier League players in the main squad, while Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi is the replacement for Origi.
Belgium squad for friendly matches against Italy and Spain:
Goalkeepers: Jean-Francois Gillet (Mechelen), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Matz Sels (Ghent)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), Luis Pedro Cavanda (Trabzonspor), Jason Denayer (Galatasaray), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St-Petersburg), Jordan Lukaku (Oostende), Thomas Meunier (Club Brugge), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Radja Nainggolan (Roma), Axel Witsel Lombaerts (Zenit St-Petersburg)
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Olympique Marseille), Christian Benteke (Liverpool), Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Depoitre (Ghent), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Dries Mertens (Napoli).
