Martinez claims Hazard is 'desperate' to return to action after injury

Roberto Martinez insists Real Madrid star Eden Hazard is ‘desperate’ to return to action after latest injury setback ruled him out of Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers

  • Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has shown his support for Eden Hazard 
  • Hazard has been ruled out of Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers due to injury 
  • Real Madrid star has already missed 23 matches over the course of the season

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has admitted injury-prone Real Madrid star Eden Hazard is desperate to return to action after his latest setback.

The winger was absent from Belgium’s opening World Cup qualifier against Wales after suffering another injury in a disrupted campaign at the Bernabeu.

Hazard, who is not expected to return to action for Los Blancos until mid-April, has already missed 23 games over the course of the season, due to injuries and contracting coronavirus.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez insisted Eden Hazard is desperate to get back playing

Martinez was without Hazard for Belgium’s World Cup qualifying win over Wales due to injury

There have been reports in Spain in recent weeks that Hazard has fallen out with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane over his disappointing performances and injury record, but Martinez insists his international star just wants be back playing. 

‘I think Eden is calm in all situations, but now he is desperate to be back on the field,’ Martinez said on Friday.

‘No matter how much experience you have, when you are a player who cannot be on the field you will feel strange.

‘It’s hard when you’ve been playing for 12 or 13 seasons at 90 minutes and suddenly you can’t do what you’ve always done.

Hazard has already missed 23 matches for Real Madrid this season through several injuries

‘It’s kind of a shock, but Eden is in a good mood whenever I see him. He’s desperate to work on his return for Real Madrid.’

HAZARD’S INJURY RECORD THIS SEASON

Injuries: 4 + coronavirus

Number of games missed: 23

Days spent out on the sidelines: 166 

Belgium, who are one of the favourites for this year’s Euro 2020, still have Czech Republic and Belarus to face during the current international break. 

Hazard will not play any part in those qualifiers and Martinez admitted he is facing a race against time to be fit for Euro 2020.

‘Rather than setting a timeline all that matters is to measure every day and to see that Eden is on the right path to get back to full fitness,’ Martinez said last week.

‘It would be wrong and gambling by anyone to try to imagine if Eden is going to be fully fit or not.

‘I feel his situation can be solved a lot earlier than the Euros but only when Eden goes from day to day, we will see the final answer.’

The former Chelsea talisman is also expected to miss Madrid’s crucial fixtures at the start of April, including a Champions League double header with Liverpool and the El Clasico with Barcelona. 

Belgium boss Martinez also admitted last week the winger could miss out on Euro 2020




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