Lombaerts leaves Belgium camp after joining squad as reserve player

Belgium reserve Nicolas Lombaerts left France on Friday after joining the national team in hopes of replacing a player in the 23-man squad for Euro 2016.

Lombaerts, the Zenit St Petersburg captain, suffered a hamstring injury in a pregame warmup with his club in May.

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots dropped Lombaerts from the final squad, but still selected the 31-year-old as one of his potential substitutes. The centre-back had tried to make a case that he was fit for the start of the tournament.

With only a few hours left before the opening match between France and Romania, and no other teammates injured, Lombaerts had no choice but to return home as the 24th man.

Belgium will likely start Jordan Lukaku and Jason Denayer at left-back and right-back, respectively, with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen at centre-back.

The Red Devils face Italy on Monday to kick off their Euro 2016 campaign.