Kompany back for Belgium's World Cup qualifier against Estonia

Brussels (AFP) – Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany was on Tuesday included in Belgium’s squad for a World Cup qualifier against Estonia and friendly against the Czech Republic after a 500-day absence from the national team.

Coach Roberto Martinez named the oft-injured Kompany among a 27-strong squad for the June 5 friendly in Brussels and World Cup qualifier four days later in Tallinn.

Despite his return to the squad, Chelsea striker Eden Hazard will retain the skipper’s armband, Martinez said.

Belgium sit atop Group H on 13 points from their five games, two ahead of Greece, with Bosnia-Herzegovina in third on 10pts.

Belgium squad

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg/GER), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea/ENG), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool/ENG), Matz Sels (Newcastle/ENG)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham/ENG), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic/SCO), Laurent Ciman (Impact Montreal/CAN), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City/ENG), Thomas Vermaelen (AS Roma/ITA), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG)

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Nacer Chadli (West Bromwich/ENG), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/ENG), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United/ENG), Thomas Foket (Gent), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER), Radja Nainggolan (AS Roma/ITA), Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian/CHN)

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea/ENG), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace/ENG), Eden Hazard (Chelsea/ENG, capt), Romelu Lukaku (Everton/ENG), Dries Mertens (Naples/ITA), Kevin Mirallas (Everton/ENG), Divock Origi (Liverpool/ENG)