FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group F - Croatia v Belgium - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 1, 2022 Belgium's Thomas Meunier in action REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) - Belgium right back Thomas Meunier is 10 days away from full fitness and will join the squad at the European Championship, coach Domenico Tedesco confirmed.
Meunier stayed home in Belgium for treatment on a hamstring injury and Tedesco had until Sunday to name a replacement in the squad ahead of his side’s opener against Slovakia later on Monday.
"He will be able to join the team in a week and a half. That is one of the reasons why I did not tinker with the squad," Tedesco told reporters.
"I didn't want to drop Meunier because he showed himself so motivated (to recover). I'm glad the injury isn't too bad and that he can still come to Germany."
Meunier will also miss Belgium’s second Group E game against Romania on Saturday but has a chance to be fit for their final pool clash against Ukraine on June 26.
Belgium have been hard hit by defensive injuries in the build-up to Euro 2024 with Axel Witsel also likely to miss the clash with Slovakia.
Regular centre backs Jan Vertonghen and Arthur Theate are back in training after being sidelined but are not certain to start on Monday.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
