{
  "id": 19589379,
  "title": "Belgium get Doku back but Lukaku out with hip problem",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/belgium-get-doku-back-but-lukaku-out-with-hip-problem",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-12T02:40:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/11/1575942/belgium-get-doku-back-lukaku-out-hip-problem"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belgium's coach Mark van Bommel is thrilled to welcome back winger Jeremy Doku to the national squad, despite the problem of selecting the right starting lineup. Doku, who was ill during the World Cup and suffered an injury during the Nations League campaign, is now fit for their final two Group A1 matches against Turkiye on Thursday and Italy on Sunday. The coach expressed his satisfaction, stating that while it makes choosing the starting five wingers more challenging, all of them are capable of playing on either side of the field. The coach declined to reveal the final lineup, adding that he is still determining who will take the field.\n\nOn the other hand, Belgium will be without record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku due to a hip problem. Lukaku, who has already played in one match of the tournament, expressed his disappointment at missing the matches, but admitted he is still able to train. The coach decided not to include Lukaku in the current line-up, hoping he would be fit for the upcoming match against Italy. Lukaku's contribution has been significant, particularly as a substitute, but the coach hopes to have him fully recovered in time for the crucial game against Italy. Belgium currently sits third in Group A1 with six points, trailing leaders France on 10 points and Italy on seven. Advancing to the quarter-finals in March requires the top two teams.",
  "summary": "IZMIR: The return of Jeremy Doku to the Belgium squad has handed coach Mark van Bommel a luxury problem, he said on Wednesday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Belgium get Doku back but Lukaku out with hip problem",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/belgium-get-doku-back-but-lukaku-out-with-hip-problem",
        "published": "2026-11-11T19:06:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Belgium get Doku back but Lukaku out with hip problem",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/belgium-get-doku-back-but-lukaku-out-with-hip-problem-19566994",
        "published": "2026-11-11T22:33:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}