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Belgium boss Martinez reflects on Hazard’s COVID-19 diagnosis

Roberto Martinez, Eden Hazard, Belgium
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Hazard suffered yet another setback upon testing positive for COVID-19 to leave Martinez and Belgium without their captain again.

Roberto Martinez bemoaned the latest setback to be inflicted on Eden Hazard, but the Belgium coach didn’t rule out the Real Madrid star for the entire international break in a press conference on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old tested positive for coronavirus prior to Real Madrid’s shocking 4-1 loss at Valencia. He’s currently self-isolating and, therefore, will miss Belgium’s friendly against Switzerland on Wednesday.

Back-to-back Nations League games against England on November 15 and Denmark three days later will come next for the Red Devils.

“Obviously we were all delighted to see Eden [Hazard] play in the last three games with his club and starting to look happy and free, being able to score,” said Martinez as quoted on Onefootball.

“I think we were all looking forward to seeing Eden play for the national team. I think that was good news for the club as well because to be able to play minutes and get games will help his match fitness.

“The positive [COVID-19 test] is disappointing news but it’s not abnormal in the current world we live in. I think being positive for coronavirus is not news anymore.

“At the moment, we are just following the protocols of UEFA and making sure that Eden carries on working at home so he doesn’t lose any fitness and see how quickly he can join the national team, if it can happen.

“But no, nothing mysterious about his positive [result], nothing at all. He’s asymptomatic and he feels in good spirits and that’s the only thing that matters.”

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