Belgium's Courtois doubtful for World Cup qualifiers due to back problem
June 1 (Reuters) - Belgium's Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois has been diagnosed with a back problem ahead of two World Cup qualifiers and the start of the Club World Cup, his LaLiga club said on Sunday.
According to Spanish media, the 33-year-old requires a week of rest and treatment and will miss Belgium's opening Group J qualifiers away to North Macedonia on Friday and at home to Wales the following Monday.
However, he should be available for Real Madrid's opening Club World Cup match against Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18.
Courtois has been diagnosed with sacroiliitis, which is an inflammation of the joints connecting the lower spine to the pelvis, causing pain and stiffness in the back and hips.
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The Independent
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Prison officers told to wear body armour in high-security jails after attacks
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Police in England and Wales identify 287 child sexual exploitation cases for review
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an hour ago
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To see of your children become a professional sportsperson would be a dream for many - but what about two?Meet the Bevan brothers Taylor - an unbeaten pro boxer, signed with fight promoter Eddie Hearn - and Owen, a footballer at Premier League side AFC are on the verge of the big-time - 24-year-old Taylor labelled a "future world champion" and Owen, 21, under contract with the top-flight Cherries until they both credit their success to father Lester, a former boxer himself, who is now a coach at Poseidon Amateur Boxing Club in Hedge End, Southampton."I think our motivation comes from our dad - he's encouraged us to follow our dreams and we have both done that," Owen told BBC Sport."He pushed us when we were younger and made us work hard. Looking back I'm grateful for it now because it has helped shape our mentality."The siblings grew up in Hampshire but have both represented Wales owing to their mother's Welsh has played for Wales' youth sides and made five appearances for the meanwhile, represented Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, winning a silver medal - but jokes it's his attitude not his ability that he gets from his dad."He didn't box at the highest level," Taylor smiled."I've seen a few videos of his fights and I can't learn much from them, but he's been in the ring and knows the feelings that come with it. He taught me the foundations though and emphasised fitness."Previously I've beaten people who have boxed at a higher level than me because of my fitness and my ability to push myself when in there." Of course, being a professional comes with its sacrifices, given the time and work both have to put in."We don't see each other a lot but we stay in touch," Owen added."Since we have been young we have always been quite competitive, we're both doing our own thing and have pushed each other to do well in each of our sports."Owen came through the Bournemouth academy and made his first-team debut in August 2022 for the final moments of the Cherries' 9-0 loss to Liverpool. He also played in the EFL Cup that same season, while first-team minutes have been picked up on loan spells at Yeovil and Owen's progress has been hampered by a number of injuries and surgery that put him out of action for more than a last year he had to call his loan spell at Hibernian short, external due to a setback and then injured his thigh in a pre-season game against Wrexham. Having only recently recovered, the central defender is hoping to return to the Cherries for pre-season and stay injury-free for the new campaign."It's been a tough year for me," he said. "I had surgery and then came back and had lots of setbacks after that too, it's not been easy but you learn a lot about yourself."I'm grateful to be out the other side of it now; I just got my head down and got through it, with some help from my dad."That debut [against Liverpool] was such a proud moment for me and something that I worked so hard to get to. I try to not look so much at the result as for me it was irrelevant."Owen hopes to be part of Bournemouth's pre-season tour to the United States this summer and, having signed a four-year deal 12 months ago, is aiming to stake a claim for a place in their long-term plans. The Cherries will play in the Premier League Summer Series, with games against Manchester United, Everton and West Ham scheduled across July and August. Taylor, meanwhile, has had a thrilling start to his professional career since signing with Hearn's Matchroom Boxing team late last the build-up to all four of his fights, Taylor has been fairly quiet and respectful when speaking about his the second he has stepped between the ropes, he has dealt with the other man in savage fashion, winning all four bouts by technical knockout with some highlight-reel has gathered a large number of supporters too, with a big group of them arriving in red t-shirts to cheer him on at his last win in London."I feel a responsibility to put my best into my training and make sure I'm in the best position to win," Taylor added."Further down the line it might be harder for loved ones and people close to me to watch when the fights are closer; I think I will be in some tear-ups."As long as I'm doing everything in training that I can then there is nothing more I can do, I just want to make people proud."Hearn has tipped Bevan, who he first spotted during his medal run at the Commonwealths, to be a future world champion."I've had the perfect start to my pro career so far," Bevan said. "I can only beat who is put in front of me but I want to take my time and I don't want to rush things. I anticipate having quite a long pro career and I want to be built in the right way."Eventually I want to get to world title level but it is all one step at a time."
