Belgian defender Engels ruled out of Euro-2016

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian defender Bjorn Engels has been ruled out of Euro 2016 because of a groin injury, the coach Marc Wilmots said on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old from newly crowned champions Club Bruges had been named in a 24-man squad by Wilmots last week but then doctors said he would be sidelined for between three and four weeks.

"Just received confirmation from the doctors that Bjorn Engels is out of the European Championship," Wilmots tweeted (@WilmotsMarc).

Engels played a full 90 minutes for his club in the title-winning 4-0 triumph over Anderlecht on Sunday but the injury saw him withdraw earlier in the week from Thursday’s penultimate game of the season against Zulte Waregem.

Belgium are drawn in Group E of Euro 2016 with Sweden, Ireland and Italy.

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Richard Balmforth; [e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: Reuters Messaging: [e-mail])