Friday 10 November 2017 06:23, UK
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen and Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi are both out of Belgium's game against Mexico on Thursday due to injury.
Vertonghen, who recently became Belgium's most capped player with 97 appearances for his country, has a minor ankle injury and could be fit for Tuesday's friendly against Japan.
Batshuayi has had an x-ray on a foot injury that he was carrying before linking up with the squad and will play no part in either match. He has returned to Chelsea for the club's medical staff to assess the problem.
Both players have been in good form for their clubs in recent weeks. Batshuayi has played 12 times for Chelsea this season scoring seven goals, while Vertonghen has played a key role for Tottenham, who are third in the Premier League and have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.
It is also a blow for Belgium manager Roberto Martinez who was using these two friendlies as a starting point for his preparations ahead of the World Cup finals in Russia next year.
Belgium comfortably qualified for the tournament finishing top of their group with 28 points from 10 games, winning nine matches in the process.
Second-placed Greece are playing Croatia in the play-offs.