World Cup 2018: Belgium boss Roberto Martinez gambles by leaving crocked defenders Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen in squad

ROBERTO MARTINEZ has taken a major World Cup gamble after deciding to leave crocked centre-halves Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen in his squad.

The Belgium boss has sent standby defender Laurent Ciman back to Brussels.

And that means Kompany, who has a groin injury, and Vermaelen, who has a hamstring issue, will stay in Russia despite both being out for Monday’s opener with Panama.

Belgium will therefore have only ONE available defender on their bench for the Group G clash in Sochi - Anderlecht’s Leander Dendoncker.

And Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata will start alongside Tottenham duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in the Red Devils’ three-man defence.

Barcelona’s former Arsenal star Vermaelen, 32, has not even travelled to Sochi but could be fit for Belgium’s second game against Tunisia on Saturday.

While the earliest Manchester City captain Kompany might return is their final group game against England on Thursday week.

Manager Martinez said: “Thomas has improved very well. Medically he could be fit for the other two games.

“He has shown that when he is on the pitch, he is ready to perform.

"He is not a player who needs a few games to be match fit or to play football in order to perform.

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“With Vinny, we are very confident - with the progress that he has made since he got injured - that he will be available to be involved in the third game of the group phase.

“Vinny has been in this situation many times now.

“The decision is to use his know-how and his experience around the group.

“For his club this season, after not playing for four months he performed against Chelsea.

“He is a player that, with his experience, can perform straightaway.”