Football
ESPN staff 8y

Belgium's Jan Vertonghen ruled out of Euro 2016, misses Wales quarterfinal

Jan Vertonghen has been ruled out for the rest of Belgium's Euro 2016 campaign and will miss the quarterfinal with Wales in Lille after injuring his ankle in training.

Vertonghen, 29, has played every minute for the Red Devils in France so far, helping Marc Wilmots' side keep three clean sheets in four games.

However, Wilmots said the player has suffered ligament damage and underwent a scan in Lille before being ruled out for around six to eight weeks.

"I am going to explain everything to you," Wilmots said at his prematch news conference. "I blew the whistle to stop the training session and he went down.

"As he controlled the ball with left foot, he turned his ankle. He had a scan here at Lille and he has torn two of three external ligaments in his ankle. That means his European Championship is over.

"I am not going to talk about a tragedy because there's a lot more tragic things in life than that, but it's a sporting tragedy for him, if you will, because he was a very important player for us.

"Mentally and physically, he really was completely fit. He had a lot of desire and unfortunately fate decided that on a certain movement that he would do 10,000 times, on that specific movement his ankle turned and tore his ligament.

"That's exactly what happened so I can tell you he is out for the remainder of the tournament."

Vertonghen will not only miss the remainder of Euro 2016 but also the start of Tottenham's Premier League campaign.

"Based on our forecast, it should be between six and eight weeks," Wilmots said. "He suffered the same injury three or four months ago and I think he took six weeks to come back from the injury. It all depends on everything with regards to his rehabilitation.

"We've got in touch with [Tottenham coach Mauricio] Pochettino and the Spurs doctor to see how he will receive treatment in due course."

Wales coach Chris Coleman said Vertonghen's injury means "a big loss to Belgium" but added "they've got so much talent" in order to find suitable replacements.

With Thomas Vermaelen already suspended for the game Belgium will be forced to field a changed defence that could include Manchester City's Jason Denayer and Oostende's Jordan Lukaku.

"The oldest player in the backline might be Toby Alderweireld," Wilmots added. "I have to make a decision on that, I am going to have to think about that.

"I am going to see what I ultimately opt for tomorrow and what characteristics I choose.

"Everyone's thoughts are with Vertonghen at this moment in time. He's a very important player in this squad.

"We've lost Kompany, he was a vice-captain and we have Vermaelen who is banned. It is tricky but we have got alternatives. It's a quarterfinal, tomorrow we will play a tricky fixture against Wales."

Wilmots also backed Eden Hazard to start against Wales, with the player himself confirming that he would be fit.

The winners will face the winners of Poland vs. Portugal in the semifinals.

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