Phuong was excluded from coach Marc Brys’s roster for the match against Waasland-Beveren in the Jupiler Pro League last weekend. 

This is the third time the 24-year-old international has not been named in Sint-Truidense’s lineup since he moved to the Belgian club two months ago. Phuong has played just 20 minutes for Sint-Truidense so far.

“His chance has become narrower. Phuong will likely be left out, particularly when other players recover from injury,” said Maarten.

Maarten suggested that Phuong find a new foreign club or come back to Hoang Anh Gia Lai club in Vietnam. Sint-Truidense now has several forwards whose style of play is similar to Phuong’s, Maarten said, citing the fast and skillful South Korean international Lee Seung-woo, who was trained by Barcelona.