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Netherlands call up Patrick van Aanholt and Ibrahim Afellay for friendlies

Patrick van Aanholt celebrates scoring Sunderland's first goal against Aston Villa to make it 1-0
Image: Patrick van Aanholt is celebrating a call up from the Netherlands

Patrick van Aanholt and Ibrahim Afellay have been called up by the Netherlands for the friendlies against France and England, the Dutch football association has announced.

Sunderland left-back Van Aanholt and Stoke midfielder Afellay have been drafted in by Dutch coach Danny Blind after he saw five players withdraw from his squad through injury.

It was announced on Sunday night that Erik Pieters, Daryl Janmaat, Ron Vlaar and Jurgen Locadia had pulled out, and they were joined on Monday by Davy Propper.

Stoke left-back Pieters missed Saturday's Premier League trip to Southampton with a calf complaint, while Newcastle right-back Janmaat was replaced midway through the second half of Sunday's derby draw with Sunderland.

According to a KNVB statement, Janmaat is struggling with a knee injury.

AZ's former Aston Villa centre-back Vlaar has a calf problem, while PSV duo Locadia and Propper are struggling with ankle and foot injuries respectively.

Ibrahim Afellay of Stoke City celebrates scoring his team's second goal
Image: Ibrahim Afellay is also in the frame to face France and England

Blind initially only called up Feyenoord defender Rick Karsdorp as a replacement, but on Monday it was announced Van Aanholt and Afellay had been brought in as well, leaving the Netherlands with a 23-man squad for the upcoming friendlies.

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The Dutch play France at the Amsterdam ArenA on Friday before meeting England at Wembley four days later.

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