Roberto Martinez : 'Eden Hazard is ready'

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that playmaker Eden Hazard is "mentally ready" to face Panama in their opening World Cup game.

Hazard took a knock in the Red Devils' final warm-up game against Costa Rica, which was described as a "dead leg" by his coach.

The Spanish boss told The Mirror that Hazard is fully fit and talked up his chances of delivering in Russia this summer.

"Eden's at a great moment in his career. He's the captain - and at a great age. He never finds it difficult to show for the ball," Martinez said. "You can never compare one player to another but in one-on-one situations he's as good as anyone in the world.

"He has had a great end to the season. He won a trophy and the semi-final and final at Wembley has prepared him perfectly. In our last two friendlies, he's looked really sharp.

"He has a great relationship with the players around him - and that allows him to influence greatly what goes on. He looks fresh and mentally ready."

Belgium face Tunisia on Saturday before meeting England next Thursday in their other Group G ties.