Belgium manager Roberto Martinez reveals that Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has withdrawn from the squad for Sunday's Nations League third-place playoff with Italy.

Chelsea have been handed an injury scare with Romelu Lukaku after the striker withdrew from the Belgium squad ahead of Sunday's Nations League third-placed playoff with Italy.

The 28-year-old scored and played the full 90 minutes in the midweek semi-final defeat to France, with Belgium throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to the world champions.

Lukaku was due to face Italy in Sunday's third-placed playoff, but delivering a team news update to the media, manager Roberto Martinez revealed that the forward would play no part in the contest.

Martinez told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "It's an overload. He didn't feel 100 per cent to play tomorrow. It's soreness in his tissue. Every decision taken involves both medical departments together for the good of the player."

Lukaku's muscular fatigue is not thought to be a serious issue, though, and the ex-Inter Milan man will hope to be passed fit for next Saturday's trip to Brentford.

Lukaku already boasts four goals in nine appearances for the Blues since his £97.5m return from Inter earlier this year. body check tags ::

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