“He grabbed his hamstring” – Mixed messages on Manchester City player national team fitness

Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij replaced Manchester City defender Nathan Aké after the break in the Netherlands 3-0 win over Greece on Thursday.

Former Netherlands international Pierre van Hooijdonk suggested the 28-year-old could have picked up an hamstring injury during his half-time analysis for NOS, relayed by Voetbal Zone.

Two minutes before the break, the Manchester City player received a yellow card, when he slipped and the ball hit his hand, and Van Hooijdonk is of the belief this is when the centre-back picked up an injury.

“He grabbed his hamstring the moment he received a yellow card. I think it happened there. You saw him grab his hamstring,” he said.

Van Hooijdonk’s suggestion has been dismissed by De Telegraaf, who say the Manchester City star has ‘suffered some minor complaints’, which resulted in his substitution after the first half.

After the tie, the Netherlands manager, Ronald Koeman, has admitted Aké was taken off as a precautionary measure.

“We didn’t want to take any risks with him,” Koeman said.

Oranje face the Republic of Ireland in the European qualifiers on Sunday and it remains to be seen whether Aké will be in the squad for the weekend clash.