Belgium icon Eric Gerets feels Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany must go to the World Cup.

Kompany appears to be over his long-term injury problems and is now returning to his best form.

Gerets told HLN: "Kompany is fit again at the moment. I hope it stays that way until the end of the season, because then there is no problem for the World Cup."

Gerets has the same opinion for Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen.

"They both have great qualities, but the question is also: what are the alternatives? In a few friendly internationals we have seen those alternatives at work and that was not always a success. Of course it can always be that Kompany or Vermaelen at the World Cup after one or two matches breakdown, but you have to go with them.

"I definitely think it's worth the risk to select Kompany and Vermaelen."