Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has left Manchester City midfield dynamo Kevin De Bruyne out of his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Belgium will face Estonia, Czech Republic and Belarus in the next round of qualifiers in September.

De Bruyne has had an injury-hit start to the season after sustaining an ankle problem during Euro 2020.

The 30-year-old featured as a substitute in City’s Premier League opener at Tottenham on Aug. 15 but missed last week’s 5-0 victory over Norwich.

That means he will be out of City’s clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Indeed, Martinez has said De Bruyne will not be playing this weekend.

The former Everton manager told reporters: “Kevin is not available. Kevin had some minutes against Spurs with Manchester City.

“After that game there was still some residual pain and he needs to be taking a different route.

“He is not going to be playing this weekend and it is only right that we work together for the wellbeing of the player.”

Euro 2020 quarter-finalists Belgium, are also without Nacer Chadli, Jeremy Doku, Dries Mertens, Thomas Vermaelen and Simon Mignolet for their forthcoming fixtures.

(dpa/NAN)