Van Bommel gives no assurances on Lukaku's Turkey test

BRUSSELS - Van Bommel sought to downplay alarm over Lukaku's reduced role in his opening two matches at the helm, yet stopped short of committing to the 31-year-old's involvement in the upcoming fixture.

The former Bayern Munich boss has overseen a transitional period since taking the Belgium job, with squad rotation and tactical adjustments forming part of his initial approach. Lukaku, who has been a cornerstone of the Belgian attack for over a decade, has seen limited action in the early stages of van Bommel's tenure.

When pressed on whether the Napoli forward would feature prominently against Turkey, van Bommel avoided making explicit promises, suggesting that squad decisions would be based on form, fitness and tactical considerations rather than reputation alone.

The Nations League encounter represents a significant test for the restructured Belgium side as they seek to establish themselves under new leadership. Van Bommel's cautious stance signals he intends to evaluate all available options rather than rely solely on established names, a philosophy that could reshape Belgium's approach to international football under his management.

The match takes place as part of the ongoing Nations League campaign, with Belgium looking to secure positive results against competitive opposition.