Belgium have been dealt a major blow after it was confirmed that defender Jan Vertonghen has been ruled out of Euro 2016 with an ankle injury.

Earlier on Thursday, reports emerged that the Tottenham Hotspur player faced as many as four months on the sidelines after suffering ligament damage in training.

The news is better than first feared, but the 29-year-old will miss the remainder of the tournament and the start of the Premier League season after tearing two ligaments in his ankle.

With Thomas Vermaelen absent through suspension, the versatile defender had been expected to partner club teammate Toby Alderweireld in the centre of Belgium's defence against Wales, but coach Marc Wilmots now faces a further reshuffle for the game on Friday night.

Written by
Darren Plant