There was bad news for Georges Leekens at yesterday's Belgian training session where Nico van Kerkckhoven and Bart De Roover both failed fitness tests and were forced to withdraw from the squad.

Marc Wilmots also pulled out of the squad's practice match with a pulled muscle and is now doubtful for Saturday. A final decision on whether the Schalke 04 player is fit to play will not be taken until tomorrow but, as a precaution, Leekens has already called Lierse midfielder Filip Haagdoren into the panel as cover.

The 27 year-old Haagdoren has a reputation as a technically gifted player who can play on either side and creates opportunities for the front-runners. If Wilmots is not fit there is every possibility that Haagdoren will start and his call up means that Leekens has opted against sending for PSV Eindhoven's Gilles De Bilde who could have come in up front with Luis Oliveira if Luc Nilis had been dropped back into midfield.

Also called into the panel yesterday was Anderlecht defender Olivier Doll who comes in for De Roover. The 24-year-old, however, is not expected to start the game.

Danny Boffin appears certain to switch from the left to take van Kerkckhoven's place on the right but there is some doubt over who will replace Boffin as the most likely candidate, Bruges's Gert Verheyen, has a back problem and will decide today on his fitness. The right full back's position will go to either Regis Genaux of Udinese or Verheyen's club-mate Eric Deflandre.

Overall, meanwhile, Leekens has hinted that he may abandon his usual sweeper system for this match, playing a 4-4-2 line-up in order to counter the perceived threat from the wings. If he does, it would be the first time he has started an international using the formation.