A User's Guide To The Belgian Squad

Danny Boffin

Age: 32. Club: Metz. Caps: 29. Goals: 0.

A naturally left-sided midfielder who can also play on the right or up front, Boffin's move to Metz from Anderlecht has revitalised his game and his cap against Wales was his first international appearance for several years. Stands a good chance of starting next Wednesday.

Vital Borkelmans

Age: 34, Club: FC Bruges. Caps: 14. Goals 0.

Left back who is one of several players to benefit from FC Bruges's eight straight wins in the opening weeks of the league championship. Called into the squad for the Welsh game as a result of withdrawals, his eightminute run-out at the end marked another return from a long absence. Has pace, but likely to start on the bench again.

Gert Claessens

Age: 25. Club: FC Bruges. Caps: 1. Goals: 1.

Has scored seven goals in eight league games so far. Bruges play him as their sole striker, but deployed slightly to the left from where he strikes with considerable speed. Tall and very dangerous anywhere around the goal.

Gilles De Bilde

Age: 26. Club: PSV Eindhoven. Caps: 14. Goals: 1.

An excellent player who is likely to be handed the main stiker's role in the absence of Luis Oliveira. Was Belgian Player of the Year in 1994, but has suffered from an ankle injury recently. Having come through Eindhoven's win over Newcastle without any problems, though, his speed and excellent technical skills should appeal.

Eric Deflandre

Age: 24. Club: FC Bruges. Caps: 2. Goals: 0.

Newcomer to the international scene. A fast right wing back who loves to get forward, Deflandre is not unlike Jason McAteer in his approach. Able to play with either foot, he should prove to be an important player to the Belgians in both games.

Albert De Roover

Age: 30. Club: NAC Breda. Caps: 5. Goals: 0.

His form last season earned him a first full cap in the friendly with Northern Ireland last February. Since then, he has quickly become a central part of the national team set-up. Shakey on the ball, he is nevertheless good in the air. He should start, possibly in a man-marking role on Tony Cascarino.

Filip De Wilde

Age: 33. Club: Sporting Lisbon. Caps: 16. Goals: 0.

A fine shot stopper, de Wilde is considered to be the best goalkeeper in the Belgian squad by quite some way. Plenty of experience at international level having been to the last two World Cups, but has a tendency to look vulnerable under a high ball and may find Cascarino's height tricky.

Regis Genaux

Age: 24. Club: Udinese. Caps: 15. Goals: 0.

Technically, one of the very best in the squad, but Genaux has rarely threatened to live up to his potential. A right back, he had a spell at Coventry where he failed to make an impression. Made a poor start to the season and seemed unsettled again, but form has improved recently.

Michael Goosens

Age: 23. Club; Schalke 04. Caps: 7. Goals: 1.

Has been doing well since arriving in the Bundesliga from Genoaand is admired for his speed and industry. Plays up front, but is not a natural goalscorer and missed several chances for the Germans against Andrlecht earlier in the week.

Luc Nilis

Age 30. Club: PSV Eindhoven. Caps: 41. Goals: 6.

Technically, a very gifted player, but has had problems more recently with a recurring stomach problem forcing him to takes breaks from playing. Playing behind the main striker in a Cantona-like role, he is equally comfortable playing with either foot, but is not as natural a play maker as the Frenchman.

Lorenzo Staelens

Age: 33. Club: FC Bruges. Caps: 44. Goals: 6.

Despite being a sweeper or man marker at club level, is happiest when deployed in the centre of midfield where he likes to get forward and go for goal. Leekens used him behind the defence against Wales but, with Eric Van Meir available again, he is likely to be allowed to enjoy himself in these two matches.

Franky Van Der Elst

Age: 36. Club: FC Bruges. Caps: 75. Goals: 0.

Still a powerful force despite his age, Van Der Elst was voted the Belgian player of the year last season and is a key player in the team. Lacks pace these days, but anchors the midfield in the way that Roy Keane had recently done so sucessfully for Ireland. An inspirational captain.

Phillippe Vande Walle

Age: 36. Club: Lierse. Caps: 2. Goals: 0.

Second goalkeeper who possesses excellent reflexes and makes many good saves. Like de Wilde, he is a little unreliable under a high ball, but his real weakness is when he comes off his line. Unlikely to be handed the number one jersey.

Nico Van Kerckhoven

Age: 26. Club: Lierse. Caps: 10. Goals: 0.

A very versatile player who can play just about anywhere on the left side of the pitch. A major contributor to Lierse's title-winning team last season, he has looked less convincing in the early part of the new campaign. When playing well, looks to have real quality, but can quickly start to look awkward when things start to go badly. Regularly plays at wing back, but is at his best with someone behind him.

Eric Van Meir

Age: 29. Club: Lierse. Caps: 9. Goals: 1.

A big sweeper who is a good header of the ball. Good with both feet, he looks to get forward and likes to have a crack at goal. Scored against Monaco on Wednesday in the Champions League, but was also directly responsible for one of the home side's five. Suspect when forced to cope with opponents who run at him with pace.

Gert Verheyen

Age: 27. Club: FC Bruges. Caps: 9. Goals: 2.

Right-side attacker/attacking midfielder whose speciality is to cut inside from the flank and make for goal. Technically, he is far from being a great player, but runs endlessly and works hard for those around him. May well make an appearance from the bench at some point.

Mike Verstraeten

Age: 30. Club: Ekeren. Caps: 1. Goals: 0.

Called into the squad after the surprise retirement of Philippe Albert for whom he is a fairly straight replacement. Not nearly as good on the ball as the Newcastle defender, he is, however, an aggressive tackler and a good header of the ball.

Gordan Vidovic

Age: 29. Club: Moeskroen. Caps: 2. Goals: 0.

A Serbian-born player who married a Belgian, Vidovic looks to be the most likely player to benefit from Philippe Albert's departure. Has done well in his first two internationals, particularly in the air where he is very able. Can also play as a left full back, but more experienced in centre.

Marc Wilmots

Age: 31. Club: Schalke 04. Caps: 27. Goals: 9.

Started his playing career as a striker, but lacked pace and so dropped back into midfield where, on his day, he excels. Likes to pick up the ball in deep positions and get forward with it, passes well and scores fairly regularly. Likely to be entrusted with a key role in the play-offs.