Kevin De Bruyne has been left out of the Belgium squad for their friendly matches against the Republic of Ireland and England.
De Bruyne, 32, is recovering from a minor groin injury and is expected to return to selection for Manchester City after the international break.
The attacking midfielder will not be available for Pep Guardiola’s side FA Cup quarter-final clash at home to Newcastle United on March 16 but should return to fitness for the Premier League clash against Arsenal on March 31 — City’s first game back after the break.
De Bruyne missed 149 days of the current campaign after suffering a hamstring injury, which required surgery, on the opening day of the Premier League season against Burnley.
The Belgian returned to action in City’s FA Cup third-round victory over Huddersfield Town in early January and has been near ever-present for the side since.
De Bruyne has scored two goals and provided seven assists for City this season, with his return coinciding with an upturn in form — Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in all 14 matches in which he has played this season, winning 11.
City’s clash against Newcastle in the FA Cup on Saturday gets underway at the Etihad at 5.30pm GMT.
(Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
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