BELGIUM boss Roberto Martinez has tipped Romeo Lavia for an “incredible future” and admitted he would have travelled to the World Cup if not for injury.

The former Manchester City 18-year-old has only made five Premier League appearances in his career, with all five coming as starts for Ralph Hasenhuttl since joining Saints.

Plucked from the Etihad Campus academy with the help of new head of recruitment Joe Shields, Lavia has impressed to the point of a £50million valuation already.

Chelsea’s deadline day proposal was rejected by Saints but it is not only Premier League clubs who have become instant admirers.

Belgium head coach Martinez would have liked to take Lavia to the World Cup – after testing him in the last international break – but a muscle injury at the end of August put both on hold.

"His injury is a pity," Martinez told Het Laatste Nieuws. “As with Zeno Debast, we had the feeling that Lavia was ready to join the Red Devils.

“That is now being postponed. In any case, he has an incredible future ahead of him.”

Saints manager Hasenhuttl said last week that Lavia is still expected to be out for a few more weeks, with seven more Premier League games to come before the World Cup break next month.

"We knew about the grade of the injury," the Austrian explained. "It was relatively clear it would take a long time.

“It's not easy for him because it's a frustrating injury for him and not easy for us but this is how football works. You have to accept it and use the time to come back stronger physically and mentally."

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