Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a fresh injury setback as the playmaker has been omitted from the Belgium squad with a groin problem.
The 32-year-old was sidelined for the first five months of the campaign after tearing his hamstring in Man City's Premier League opener against Burnley back in August.
De Bruyne made his long-awaited return at the beginning of January and has since been in outstanding form for the Citizens, contributing with one goal and 10 assists in 11 appearances across all competitions.
However, De Bruyne could be facing another spell in the treatment room, as Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco has revealed that the playmaker is nursing a groin injury that he "has been struggling with in the last matches."
De Bruyne started Man City's enthralling 1-1 draw with Premier League rivals Liverpool last weekend, but was notably frustrated to be withdrawn by manager Pep Guardiola in the 69th minute.
City's No.17 has now been been left out of Belgium's 25-man squad ahead of international friendlies with England and the Republic of Ireland later this month.
The Red Devils are scheduled to face Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on March 23, three days before travelling to London to face England at Wembley Stadium.
Discussing De Bruyne's omission from the Belgium squad, Tedesco told reporters: "I don't know if there is a connection with his hamstring injury. It's now a problem at the groin that he has been struggling with in the last matches.
"It's a big blow for us. Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin, and we decided that the risk is too high.
"It's our responsibility to consider the player, but also the player's team. It has to make sense to call up a player. If he cannot play or train, it is our responsibility to protect him.
"We better give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the Euros. We can't take a risk now, and certainly not with Kevin."
De Bruyne is now expected to miss Man City's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
The playmaker has also emerged as a doubt for the Citizens' Premier League showdown with title rivals Arsenal on March 31, and for a home encounter with top-four hopefuls Aston Villa just three days later.
De Bruyne is not the only injury concern for Man City, as goalkeeper Ederson is facing up to four weeks out with a muscle problem sustained against Liverpool last weekend, while Jack Grealish has missed the last three matches with a groin issue.
Guardiola – who sees his side sitting third in the top-flight table, just one point behind leaders Arsenal and second-placed Liverpool – will provide a fitness update on his squad at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's clash with Newcastle.
