Romelu Lukaku OUT of World Cup 2022 opener with Belgium’s record scorer expected to miss first two games through injury

BELGIUM’S crocked record scorer Romelu Lukaku is expected to miss at least their first two World Cup games.

The Inter Milan striker, 29, is still recovering from a thigh injury suffered in August.

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The ex-Manchester United flop seems certain to miss Belgium‘s opener against Canada on Wednesday and the clash with Morocco next Sunday.

And Globo.com say Lukaku is also doubtful for the final group match with Croatia on December 1.

Some critics believed Belgium boss Roberto Martinez took a gamble in taking the Everton star to Qatar.

And Lukaku missed the squad’s first public training session.

But he is Belgium’s top goal-getter ever with 68 goals.

And Martinez is counting on his team easing through to the knockout stages, when Lukaku should be fully fit.

Presuming he does return, Lukaku is likely to be used as Belgium’s sole out-and-out frontman, with playmaker Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne just behind him.

Belgium’s aging superstars are still tipped to be World Cup contenders.

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But a 2-1 defeat against Egypt in their last warm-up game suggested once more they are not the force they have been in recent years.

And first opponents Canada are aiming to follow up their surprise qualification – reaching their first World Cup since 1986 by shocking Belgium.

The Canadians have high-profile performers in Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.