World Cup 2018: Belgium set to rest players against England, says head of fitness

Richard Evans previously played for several clubs including Cardiff City, Exeter City and Bristol Rovers

Belgium are set to rest players for their decisive World Cup Group G match against England, says their head of team and individual fitness.

The sides are level on six points going into Thursday's game (19:00 BST kick-off), with England top of the group because they have fewer yellow cards.

"We might be forced to rest some players. We have a couple who have some knocks and bumps," said Welshman Richard Evans, who has worked with Belgium boss Roberto Martinez since the pair were at Swansea City.

Both England and Belgium are already through the the last 16 of the tournament in Russia and Evans said Thursday's match is a chance to use the full squad.

"We don't want to take any risks," Evans told BBC Sport Wales from Moscow.

"It is an ideal opportunity to see some players who haven't played many minutes during the season or possibly during the camp either.

"It is a good chance to give them some match time because obviously everyone is essential when you have such a small squad."

Belgium 'did not watch' England

England have been praised for their performance in Sunday's thumping 6-1 win over Panama, but Evans, whose father Brian played for Wales, says the Belgium squad did not watch the game.

"We had our families across for the weekend, so it was a good chance for us to see them. We all had a barbecue on Saturday evening," he said.

"We've had a little bit of downtime to take the pressures away, we've been taking in the atmosphere in Moscow. It is a really exciting time.

"We haven't said too much about England to be honest. We have waved the families off and now it is back to business time."

Evans did reveal some communication between the two camps, with captain Vincent Kompany contacting two of his Manchester City team-mates.

"I know Vincent Kompany spoke to John Stones and Fabian Delph on the phone when we were on the way to the game on Saturday morning," said Evans.

"So there is a bit of rivalry and banter flying back and forth, I am sure of it. It should be a great occasion."

Richard Evans has worked with Roberto Martinez at Swansea, Wigan, Everton and Belgium

The Welshman plotting Belgium success

Despite being semi-finalists at Euro 2016, Wales failed to qualify for the World Cup, making Evans one of only two Welsh people involved in coaching or preparing squads at the tournament - with the other being England goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson, a former Bristol Rovers team-mate of Evans.

In terms of the honour of being involved at a World Cup, Evans says it is a career highlight.

"It is ironic really - 45 years ago my father was preparing to play against England in a World Cup qualifier and here I am preparing for a World Cup game with England," he added. "It is a strange feeling for me, with my family background.

"You see yourself at the World Cup and have to say: 'This football journey has been amazing.' I am working with some of the finest players in the world. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself. It is more than I ever expected.

"It is an absolute carnival, a festival of football.

"The England game will be one of the biggest games I have been involved with.

"It is a massive game at the World Cup - at this level every game is massive. You feel the tension, it is a huge game."

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