Belgium coach seeks to temper Lukaku fever

(Reuters) - Belgium coach Rudi Garcia is looking to temper any expectations about a possible return to form for Romelu Lukaku, who netted a ​90th goal for his country this week.

Lukaku did not start a ‌game for Napoli this season, scored only one goal and spent long periods out with a hamstring injury, and his selection by Garcia for the World Cup looked ​to be a gamble.

But Belgium’s leading scorer came on for his ​first national team outing in 12 months on Tuesday and ⁠promptly scored as they beat Croatia 2-0 in Rijeka.

Garcia, however, warned against ​pushing the 33-year-old too quickly as he continues his recovery.

“We must keep our ​feet on the ground,” the coach told a press conference on Friday, ahead of the friendly against Tunisia in Brussels on Saturday.

“We must not rush anything. I was very ​happy with Romelu's goal against Croatia, just like the rest of the ​squad. That's very important because Romelu lives for scoring goals. Mentally, that was therefore very ‌positive.

“But ⁠the big danger now is that you -- the media and the supporters -- will start thinking that he is completely ready again. He has come a long way and still has some distance to go. Thinking that he will ​start against Egypt ​is still far ⁠too premature.”

Belgium’s opening game in World Cup Group G is against Egypt in Seattle on June 15.

“He has barely ​played this season and has hardly even trained with ​the group. ⁠So more time will be needed to get him ready to play more than half an hour. Especially if we want to keep him fit.

“There is ⁠a very ​good chance that he will play around ​25 minutes against Tunisia, but it is unlikely to be much more than that," Garcia said ​about Saturday’s friendly.