Belgium have been handed a timely defensive lift as Zeno Debast has returned to full training ahead of their World Cup round of 32 encounter with Senegal in Seattle.

The Sporting defender, who has been sidelined since suffering a leg injury during club duties in Portugal earlier in May, had not featured in the tournament so far. Despite his absence from the group stage, the 22-year-old was included in Belgium’s 26-man squad and has now resumed training following encouraging results from a recent MRI scan.

Although Debast is unlikely to start when Group G winners Belgium take on Senegal — who advanced as the eighth-best third-placed team from Group I — his return adds depth and confidence to Rudi Garcia’s squad. The head coach will be aiming to guide the Red Devils on a strong knockout campaign run.

In Debast’s absence, Brandon Mechele and Nathan Ngoy began the tournament as Belgium’s preferred central defensive pairing. However, Arthur Theate was brought into the lineup for the emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand after Ngoy was sent off during the goalless draw against Iran.

Garcia is expected to retain the majority of the lineup that started in Vancouver against the All Whites, with Thibaut Courtois a certainty to keep his place between the posts.

At right-back, Fulham’s Timothy Castagne replaced Thomas Meunier in the previous match, while Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper continued on the left flank of the defence.

In midfield, Garcia experimented with partnerships for captain Youri Tielemans, giving Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin a surprise start over Amadou Onana before substituting him later for Hans Vanaken.

Further forward, Belgium returned to their familiar and attacking quartet of Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard, and Charles De Ketelaere. Against New Zealand, Doku — who missed the Iran match — and De Ketelaere replaced Alexis Saelemaekers and Romelu Lukaku, both of whom made an impact off the bench by scoring late goals.

The ongoing debate among Belgian supporters centres around whether De Ketelaere or Lukaku should lead the line. Despite being Belgium’s all-time top scorer, Lukaku may again be used as an impact substitute due to his fitness concerns following an injury-troubled season with Napoli, where he managed only four Serie A appearances.