Roberto Martinez: Eden Hazard 'desperate' to return to action after latest injury

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has shown his support for the injury-prone Real Madrid star Eden Hazard.

The winger was absent from Belgium's opening World Cup qualifier against Wales after suffering another setback in a disrupted campaign at the Bernabeu.

Hazard, who is not expected to return to action for Los Blancos until mid-April, is set to miss between 15 and 20 matches during the 2020/21 season due to several muscle injuries.

While there have been reports and suggestions that Hazard has fallen out with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane amid his disappointing arrival at the club, Martinez has backed his international star to come back swinging.

'I think Eden is calm in all situations, but now he is desperate to be back on the field,' as reported by Marca.

'No matter how much experience you have, when you are a player who cannot be on the field you will feel strange.'

Belgium, who are one of the favourites for this year's Euro 2020, still have Czech Republic and Belarus to face during the current international break.

While the former Chelsea talisman is expected to return in April, he is not likely to be ready for Madrid's crucial start to the month.

Zidane's side take on Liverpool in a Champions League quarter-final double header either side of a massive LaLiga El Classico grudge match against Barcelona.