Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Paul van Hecke has left the Netherlands training early and could miss the upcoming clash with Greece.
De Telegraaf report that the Tottenham centre-back left the pitch early during the Netherland’s final training season in Zeist on Wednesday.
He was seen holding a brief conversation with manager Xavi before then taking a seat in the dugout.
The exact severity of his injury is not yet clear. The KNVB is expected to announce soon whether or not the Tottenham defender will travel to Greece for the game this week.
Unknown injury
Van Hecke had started alongside captain Virgil van Dijk in the previous two games against Germany and Serbia. He played the full 90 minutes in both of those games.
Now there is clearly a concern that he’s set to miss the trip to Greece with an, as yet, unidentified injury.
De Telegraaf say that the Netherlands are prepared for Van Hecke to be out. Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber is seen as the most logical replacement for the Tottenham man in the centre of defence.
He’s been battling back to fitness himself having recently returned from a groin injury. the Netherlands have been taking special care on that front, limiting his minutes and exposure in training when necessary. He came of for 10 minutes in the 2-1 win over Serbia last week.
Latest injury blow
Should Van Hecke drop out, though, it will be another blow for the Netherlands. They’ve already lost Brian Brobbey, Lutsharel Geertruida and Cody Gakpo in this international break. They have all already left the training camp early.
And Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert had already withdrawn just before the international training period began as well. So, it has very much been an international break of injuries and withdrawals.
Now we can add Van Hecke to the list. The Tottenham man has pulled out of training today. Now the wait is on to discover what his injury is.
