Chelsea's Mike Penders a Doubt for Belgium After Quadriceps Injury

Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders is a doubt for Belgium's Nations League fixtures after picking up a quadriceps injury in training, ruling him out of Friday's clash with Italy.

The 21-year-old had been in contention for a first senior cap after Thibaut Courtois stepped away from the squad following talks with new head coach Mark van Bommel, opening up competition for the starting spot alongside Manchester United's Senne Lammens and RB Leipzig's Maarten Vandevoordt. Penders has instead stayed behind at Belgium's training base in Tubize alongside Leandro Trossard, who is nursing a heel injury.

Belgium's federation has not confirmed the injury or given a timeline, leaving Penders' involvement in the following fixture against France also in doubt. He has made just two appearances for Chelsea this season, both in the Carabao Cup, and was an unused backup for Belgium at this summer's World Cup.