Jan Vertonghen Injury: Updates on Belgium Star's Ankle and Return

Belgium have suffered a big blow ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-final clash with Wales, as star defender Jan Vertonghen will miss the rest of the tournament after he injured his ankle in training, per Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws. Vertonghen will miss six to eight weeks as a result, according to ESPN FC's John Chapman.

Continue for updates.

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Vertonghen Releases Statement Following Injury Announcement

Thursday, June 30

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Vertonghen Adds to Belgium's Defensive Woes

The Red Devils lost Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Lombaerts before the start of the tournament, while Thomas Vermaelen was booked in the 4-0 win against Hungary and will be suspended for the clash with Wales.

Manager Marc Wilmots already faced a dilemma ahead of the match with Wales thanks to his depleted options in defence, as he had to choose between moving Vertonghen to centre-back, where he could partner with Spurs team-mate Toby Alderweireld, or keeping him at left-back and introducing Manchester City's Jason Denayer to the starting XI.

Following this latest defensive setback, Denayer is now expected to come into the starting XI, while KV Oostende's Jordan Lukaku will likely start at left-back. Lukaku has limited experience at international level, and Denayer has shown flashes of his talent but was badly exposed in the friendly against Norway.

Wales forward Gareth Bale has been one of the most in-form attackers of the tournament so far, and he will relish going up against a Belgium defence missing four key members.

Midfielders Radja Nainggolan and Axel Witsel will now be tasked with keeping an eye on the Real Madrid man, which should hamper the Red Devils' production further up the pitch.