Waseige - could play a 5-3-2 system (Allsport)

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Belgium boss Robert Waseige may be ready to experiment with a new 5-3-2 formation in the Belgians' World Cup opener against Japan.

Waseige has consistently used a 4-4-2 system in the past but the withdrawal of a number of key players through injury in the build-up to the trip to the Far East may have forced his hand.

Waseige hinted that he might be ready to try out a new formation.

"We don't always need four defenders," he said before holding a behind closed-doors training session.

Although the biggest injury blow for the Red Devils is seen as the loss of Schalke striker Emile Mpenza, the loss of creative midfielder Walter Bassegio has left Waseige's midfield lacking in quality.

If the coach decides to change his system it would bring in an extra defensive midfielder, for which Waseige will have to choose between Yves Vanderhaeghe and Bernd Thijs.

The three defenders should be certain of their positions with Anderlecht's Glen De Boeck, Marseille's Daniel Van Buyten and Nico Van Kerckhoven of Schalke the men most likely to start.