Divock Origi will be fit for Euro Cup, says dad
Belgium international striker with Kenyan roots, Divock Origi, is on course for full recovery from an ankle injury and will be fit to play for Belgium at the 2016 Euro Cup in France in three weeks’ time, according to his father Mike Okoth.
However, the final of the Europa League next week in which his club, Liverpool, will face Seville in Basel, Switzerland will come too soon for the former Lille forward.
Okoth, a former Kenya international striker, spoke to Nairobi News on Thursday in an exclusive interview from Europe.
Divock’s inclusion in Belgian coach Marc Wilmots’ 24-man squad has also given a hint on the youngster’s recovery progress.
The Liverpool star forward injured his ankle during an English Premier League match against Everton on April 20.
RACE AGAINST TIME
Despite his selection to the Belgian national team, the 21 year old is still in a race against time for a place in the final squad of 23 that will be announced on May 30.
“He commenced light training to beef up fitness. The schedule is for him to train with the ball alongside his colleagues next week. I expect him to play at the Euros which will be a great achievement at his age considering he has already played at the World Cup,” said Okoth.
After a slow start to the season at Liverpool under former manager Brendan Rodgers, Divock posted a vastly improved performance under German tactician Jurgen Klopp in the second half of the campaign.
Origi will compete against Marseille’s Mitchy Batshuayi, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and club teammate Christian Benteke for the sole starting role for Belgium.
Belgium, which has never won the European championship, has been pooled alongside Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in Group E. of the competition.
