Club News

Lukaku issues Mirallas warning

And striker hoping to earn bragging rights over Belgian buddy

ROMELU Lukaku says he will be giving his Baggies team-mates some valuable tips on how to stop fellow Belgium international Kevin Mirallas when they take on Everton tomorrow (ko 3pm).

The Toffees made Mirallas (pictured below) a £6million signing earlier this month and he fired a double on his full debut in Wednesday’s 5-0 Capital One Cup win over Leyton Orient.

The pair, who share the same agent, will link up for their country’s World Cup Group A qualifiers with Wales and Croatia after The Hawthorns clash.

And Lukaku is keen to earn the bragging rights as he prepares to go head to head with his friend in the Barclays Premier League.

“I’ve played alongside Kevin for a couple of years in the national team and I also know him from before because we have the same agent so I’m very close to him,” said the on-loan Chelsea hitman, who is hoping to overcome an ankle injury in time for the game.

“When we link up for the national team we spend time together because we share the same passion for the game.

“I also have a good bond with Marouane Fellaini.

“He is very good player and has had a couple of good years in England.

“And I’m really happy Kevin has finally realised his dream to play in England for a Premier League club.

“He’s had a good start and I’m happy for him.

“But I hope he doesn’t score against us.”

“Kevin can be very dangerous.

“It is quite difficult to get a grip on him because he can play on either side, as a second striker, or striker.

“It’s hard to get a hold on him in the game because he can do everything.

“But I think our defenders will be prepared and I can give them some advice.

“I’ve got a few tips for them to hold up Kevin.

“But I don’t want him to get injured because we have games with the national team next week and I might need him there to give me some assists.

“As long as he doesn’t score tomorrow – that’s alright!”

Lukaku believes the Baggies can be a surprise package this term – and is relishing the test an in-form Toffees side will present."



“Hopefully we can beat Everton,” he added.

“Their defence is one of the best in the league but we need to prepare ourselves to find out how best to attack them.

“We play at home and we have to take advantage of the negative points they have and try and profit.

“The fans expect a lot from us and we have to keep on being humble, work hard and prepare ourselves well for each game.

“We are a team that has good organisation and offensively we have strikers who can make the difference, as well as midfielders who do their work each time.

“We have a good team and we could be a surprise this year, I’m really convinced about that.

“Everton will be a good test again.

“They have won their first two league games and we have taken four out of six points, which not many people expected.

“We deserved those results and we need to continue like that.

“We have to believe we can finish as high as possible and continue working hard in training, then hopefully we’ll be a surprise in the Premier League this season.”