Updated at 15.37

PROMINENT BELGIAN FOOTBALLERS have shown their support for Sporting Lokeren defender Gregory Mertens who collapsed during a reserve match on Monday, while his club saying they are “hoping for a miracle” with the player understood to be suffering from a heart-related illness.

The 24-year-old collapsed during a game at Genk and was assisted on the pitch by both medical teams before being taken to a hospital in the city, with the BBC reporting that Mertens is in critical condition following the incident and in an induced coma on a life support machine in hospital.

In a statement on Monday, Pro League side Lokeren said they hoped for a positive outcome for Mertens, with a host of Belgium internationals also offering support.

“Incredibly bad news. Keep fighting Gregory,” tweeted Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne.

Fellow Belgian stars Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois also urged Mertens to “keep fighting”.

Belgian newspaper HLN reported that the player suffered a cardiac arrest and received CPR on the pitch.

“Sporting Lokeren sympathises with the family and hopes for a positive outcome,” a club statement added.

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