Mpenza gets nod for Belgium

Emile Mpenza has returned to the Belgium squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Serbia and Azerbaijan after nearly a year's absence.

Trip to Qatar
The younger brother of fellow Belgium striker Mbo Mpenza played his last international match almost a year ago, taking the field against Lithuania in October 2005. However, his return does not come as a complete surprise since Belgium's second in command Stéphane Demol had travelled to Qatar in recent weeks to watch the forward, who has won 49 caps, playing for Al-Rayyan.

Buffel absent
S.S. Lazio's Gaby Mudingayi returns to the fold, having not played for Belgium since March, while there is also a place for Feyenoord's Philippe Léonard. Hamburger SV defender Vincent Kompany and AFC Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen are included after missing Belgium's last game in Armenia, while the most notable absentee is Rangers FC attacker Thomas Buffel.

Belgium squad
Goalkeepers: Stijn Stijnen (Club Brugge KV), Geert De Vlieger (SV Zulte Waregem), Brian Vandenbussche (SC Heerenveen)

Defenders: Carl Hoefkens (Stoke City FC), Vincent Kompany (Hamburger SV), Philippe Léonard (Feyenoord), Daniel Van Buyten (FC Bayern München), Jelle Van Damme (RSC Anderlecht), Anthony Vanden Borre (RSC Anderlecht), Thomas Vermaelen (AFC Ajax)

Midfielders: Steven Defour (R. Standard de Liège), Gaetan Englebert (Club Brugge KV), Karel Geraerts (R. Standard de Liège), Bart Goor (RSC Anderlecht), Gaby Mudingayi (S.S. Lazio), Timmy Simons (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Moussa Dembele (AZ Alkmaar), Stein Huysegems (Feyenoord), Emile Mpenza (Al-Rayyan), Mbo Mpenza (RSC Anderlecht), Luigi Pieroni (AJ Auxerre), Kevin Vandenbergh (KRC Genk)