Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez has left Roma star Radja Nainggolan out of a World Cup squad packed with Premier League talent.

England’s Group G opponents named a long-list of 28 players on Monday morning – 15 of whom play their club football in England – with five names be trimmed on June 4.

Joining the expected big names such as Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Romelu Lukaku are Michy Batshuayi, whose eye-catching loan from Chelsea to Borussia Dortmund was cut short by ankle ligament injury, out-of-form Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke and Nacer Chadli of relegated West Brom.

But Nainggolan, who helped propel his club past Barcelona to the Champions League semi-finals, where he scored in a thrilling second leg against Liverpool, has not made the cut.

The 30-year-old, a favourite with fans for his all-action style in midfield, has missed out on previous Martinez squads but his hopes of a place in Russia increased when he was recalled in March.

“Radja is a top player. The reason is tactical,” Martinez said, quoted on the national team’s Twitter account.

“In the last two years the team has worked in a specific manner. Other players had those roles.

“We know that Radja has a very important role in his club and we cannot give him that role in our squad.”