Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has been left out of the latest Belgium squad as a precaution due to a slight groin strain.

De Bruyne was sidelined for five months at the start of the season due to a hamstring injury before he returned for City in January.

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He will now miss Belgium's games against the Republic of Ireland and England this week with an ongoing groin problem.

"I don't know if there is a connection to his hamstring injury. It is now a problem on the groin that he struggled with in the last few matches," coach Domenico Tedesco told reporters on Thursday.

"Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin and we decided the risk is too great. It is our responsibility to take into account the player but also the player's club.

"It is better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the European Championship. We can't take a risk now and certainly not with Kevin."

Meanwhile, Tedesco's contract has been extended for two more years to take them to the 2026 World Cup, officials said on Thursday.

Tedesco took over from Roberto Martinez after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Belgium have not lost in his 10 games in charge so far, though a fallout with their usual first choice keeper means Thibaut Courtois has not been selected during his tenure.

Tedesco steered Belgium to an easy qualification for Euro 2024 as they topped their group with 20 out of 24 points.

Belgium play Ireland in Dublin on March 23 before a high-profile meeting with England at Wembley three days later.

Belgium squad:

Goalkeepers: Arnaud Bodart, Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels

Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Koni De Winter, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Arthur Theate, Jan Vertonghen

Midfielders: Olivier Deman, Jérémy Doku, Dodi Lukébakio, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Aster Vranckx

Forwards: Johan Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi, Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard