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Lokeren pay tribute to Gregory Mertens

Lokeren pay tribute to Gregory Mertens before their first match since the death of their former defender.

Tributes were paid to the late Gregory Mertens as his former Lokeren teammates returned to action on Friday.

The Belgian defender, 24, collapsed during Lokeren's reserve fixture against Genk on Monday and died of heart failure after time on a life support machine in hospital.

Prior to their Pro League playoff game against Westerlo this evening, tearful Lokeren players lined up in T-shirts sporting Mertens's name.

Supporters also paid their respects by holding up signs bearing his squad number of four, and a banner which read: "you'll never walk alone Greg".

Former Belgium Under-21 international Mertens joined Lokeren from Cercle Brugge at the start of the 2014-15 season.

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Gregory Mertens of KSC Lokeren OV in action during the Jupiler League match between KSC Lokeren OV and Club Brugge at the Daknamstadion on April 26, 2014
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2Royal AntwerpAntwerp1482427111626
3Club BruggeBrugge147432316725
4Anderlecht1465324121223
5GentGent1464423121122
6MechelenMechelen146352819921
7Union SGUnion SG144731712519
8Westerlo145362323018
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11Sint-Truiden144552024-417
12Dender144551723-617
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15KortrijkKortrijk144281025-1514
16Beerschot WilrijkBeerschot VA141491231-197


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