Why Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois was not playing for Belgium vs Ukraine

Thibaut Courtois was left out of Belgium’s squad for Sunday’s Nations League play-off second leg against Ukraine.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper made his eagerly anticipated international comeback earlier this week after a near two-year absence.

Courtois was expected to feature this evening but has been rested as a precaution and was replaced by Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels.

Real are back in action against Leganes next weekend and have two more domestic fixtures before their Champions League quarter final first leg against Arsenal on April 8.