Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is relishing the prospect of locking horns with his compatriot Romelu Lukaku when the Blues host West Brom on Tuesday night.
Striker Lukaku has been in fine form following his season-long loan move from Chelsea to Albion last summer, netting 14 goals for the Baggies and earning a place on the PFA Young Player of the Year award shortlist.
Centre-back Kompany has described the 19-year-old as an "unbelievable talent" and feels fortunate to be able to play alongside him for Belgium - but is also looking forward to the challenge he could be set of trying to contain him in Tuesday's Barclays Premier League contest. "Romelu is probably one of the biggest talents in Europe at the moment," Kompany said.
"We are very lucky with him, being a very young striker, and Christian Benteke (Aston Villa's Belgium frontman, who was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award).
"We have two unbelievable talents coming through. I am looking forward to playing against him. He will be a world beater in England very soon."
It remains to be seen whether or not Kompany does line up against Lukaku in the game given City boss Roberto Mancini may opt to shuffle his pack with one eye on the FA Cup final against Wigan which comes four days later.
The defender is keeping an open mind on the matter, but with City keen to cement second place in the table he is sure Mancini will select a "strong" team to face West Brom.
Asked if he expected to play against Albion, Kompany said: "I don't know, but the manager has got loads of options and I am sure that whatever side he puts out will be a strong side.
"It's a game that we have to win. There is no other way to think about this game. Until we are safe for that Champions League spot we have to play the games like every other game.
"It (Saturday) is a big, big day for the club - it's massive and everyone realises that. But it would be nice to win the game against West Brom. That would set us up really nicely to focus on the final."
Source: PA
