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Belgium's captain Vincent Kompany out of World Cup training with groin strain

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Belgium's head coach Marc Wilmots gestures to referee after Belgium's Eden Hazard collided with Algeria's Mehdi Mostefa, right, during the group H World Cup soccer match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, June 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) (The Associated Press)

Belgium's Vincent Kompany plays with the ball during a training session at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. Belgium will play in group H of the Brazil 2014 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Bruno Magalhaes) (The Associated Press)

Belgium captain Vincent Kompany missed training on Thursday because of a groin strain, three days ahead of his team's Group H game against Russia at the World Cup.

Kompany stands at the heart of the Belgium defense and missing the Manchester City stalwart would be a big handicap for the group leader.

Coach Marc Wilmots called it a "slight" strain and said Kompany was working on an individual program with the medical staff.

Playmaker Eden Hazard made a return to training and showed no ill effects from a toe contusion sustained in Tuesday 2-1 victory over Algeria.

Belgium can advance to the knockout rounds if it beats Russia on Sunday.