The Netherlands national team has been hit with a double injury blow ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. Midfielder Joey Veerman has been ruled out after suffering a foot injury during PSV Eindhoven’s 3-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday. Veerman, who featured in all six matches for the Dutch at the Euros in Germany, came off after 65 minutes of the match.
To replace Veerman, the Dutch FA (KNVB) has called up Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth. This is a return to the international squad for Kluivert, who last featured for the Netherlands six years ago.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has also been ruled out of the Nations League squad due to a knee injury. Van de Ven, who trained with Tottenham last week, was not included in their matchday squad for Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League loss at Newcastle United. He appeared to hurt his knee after a tackle in Spurs’ previous match, a 4-0 home win over Everton on August 24. Despite the discomfort, he was able to continue playing. The KNVB said that Van de Ven was not match fit and has been replaced by Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who is receiving his first call-up to the national team.
The Netherlands will host Bosnia & Herzegovina in Eindhoven on Saturday and Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam three days later. These matches mark the start of their Nations League campaign.
