Belgium lose Vanderhaeghe

Belgium have been denied the services of one of their most influential players for the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying match in Croatia after learning that Yves Vanderhaeghe's season is likely to be over.

Cartilage removal
The 33-year-old RSC Anderlecht defensive midfield player is to have an operation in Antwerp on Monday to remove cartilage from his knee. The gravity of the surgery is such that Vanderhaeghe, who belatedly won the first of 39 caps for his country at the age of 29 against Peru in May 1999, is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign.

Champions League chase
The news comes as a blow to both club and country. Second-placed Anderlecht are currently fending off the challenge of Sporting Lokeren St-Niklaas Waaslan and K. Lierse SK in the Belgian First Division and will need to do so until the end of the season to win a place in the second qualifying round of the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League.

'Not worried'
Vanderhaeghe would have been a mainstay of that push, but he is confident that the man charged with filling his shoes will prove an able deputy. "I think there are a couple of good youngsters who can play in my position - Goran Lovré or Junior, and there is also Besnik Hasi," he said. "I am not worried for Anderlecht, we will get to the Champions League."

Key matches
None the less, he admits the injury is "painful for me and the Red Devils". Vanderhaeghe hopes to make it to 50 caps, but will be denied a certain one after being ruled out of the Group 8 game in Croatia on 29 March. He is also unlikely to feature against Bulgaria, another away game, on 7 June and Andorra at home four days later.

Close contest
Vanderhaeghe could return for Belgium's penultimate qualifier against Croatia on 10 September. The section is likely to be one the most keenly contested of the ten groups. Bulgaria currently lead the way with three wins from three games, including the victory in Brussels which has left Belgium in second place with six points.