Roberto Martinez has revealed that he left Marouane Fellaini out of his latest Belgium squad as the Manchester United midfielder is not yet fit enough to play a full part.
The 29-year-old was introduced from the bench for the final 30 minutes of the Red Devils' 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon following a month out injured.
Martinez does not feel the need to risk Fellaini for Belgium's friendlies with Mexico and Japan over the next week, however, instead giving the former Everton ace a full two weeks to regain his fitness with club side United.
"He needs a proper 10 days work with no game in order for him to be fully fit," he told reporters. "Medically it is the right choice to allow Marouane to get fit.
"If it had been a competitive game I think we would have called him up because maybe for the second game he could have been on the pitch. This is a period where we can afford not to risk him until he is 100%."
Fellaini, who has made eight appearances for United in all competitions this season, is a confirmed target for Turkish side Besiktas.
Daniel Lewis
