Belgium could give Zakaria Bakkali his first senior cap in the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday, after the teenager returned to action for PSV Eindhoven at the weekend.
The forward had been suffering with a hamstring injury and was regarded as a doubt to recover in time to play against Gordon Strachan's side at Hampden.
Injury had already robbed Bakkali of the opportunity to make his debut against France last month but is now expected to get his moment this week. Still just 17, he is highly regarded by national coach Marc Wilmots, while the youngster had also been linked with moves to Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal this summer.
His precociousness - highlighted with goals for PSV in Champions League qualifiers against Belgian side SV Zulte Waregem earlier this season - has allowed him to catch the eye and team-mate Simon Mignolet is hopeful of making his own mark after joining up with the national squad. The Liverpool goalkeeper is determined to force his way into Belgium's starting XI to face the Scots following his move to Anfield, although he will have to displace Thibaut Courtois, the on-loan Atletico Madrid player who has conceded just two goals in seven qualifying games in Group A.
It would seem likely that Wilmots will continue with Courtois in goals when he arrives in Glasgow. Yet Mignolet has been emboldened by an impressive start to the league season - including a clean sheet in a match with Manchester United on Sunday - and he has not given up hope of assuming the No.1 role at Hampden.
"I'm going to go to the training camp itching to play the game at Hampden against Scotland," said Mignolet, whose squad was awaiting the arrival of Marouane Fellaini yesterday after he was given permission to miss training due to the final day of the transfer window. "When I go on international duty, my aim is always to play. It makes no sense to go with the idea of not playing. I'm going to try so hard in training."
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