Belgium name Kevin De Bruyne but leave out Thibaut Courtois again

Belgium manager Mark van Bommel has named his squad for November, with Kevin De Bruyne included but Thibaut Courtois absent once more for the Nations League matches against Turkey and Italy.

Belgium will face Turkey and Italy in the fifth and sixth rounds of the competition during the November international break.

Courtois was also missing from the previous international squad after agreeing with Van Bommel that he would take a period of rest. His continued omission comes days after the goalkeeper said he had been removed from Belgium’s private WhatsApp groups.

Belgium are third in Group A on six points, one behind Italy, who occupy second place with seven points. France lead the group with 10 points, while Turkey are bottom without a point.

Van Bommel’s squad is:

Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig), Mike Penders (Chelsea), Geert De Busser (AZ).

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Bologna), Jose Ngongolo (Genk), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge).

Midfielders: Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United), Mandela Keita (Parma), Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge).

Forwards: Diego Moreira (Milan), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Mika Godts (Paris Saint-Germain), Leandro Trossard (Besiktas), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Romelu Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Hugo Cuypers (Monterrey).

De Bruyne’s selection gives Belgium one of their most experienced attacking midfield options for the two decisive group fixtures, while Courtois remains unavailable as the team continues its Nations League campaign.

Belgium’s November programme begins against Turkey before the meeting with Italy, with the two matches representing the final two rounds of the group stage.