Strupar's road to the World Cup has been longer than most.

Prior to being recalled to the squad for a recent friendly, he had not played at international level for 19 months.

A series of injuries and painful operations had seriously hampered his progress, but he has proved his fitness and, on past form, could provide a sting in Belgium's tail.

In the 1998/1999 season he was named Belgian player of the year and topped the scoring charts in the Belgian domestic league.