Duo withdraw from Dutch squad

Robben and Vennegoor ruled out of World Cup qualifying action

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 6th October 2008  

Duo withdraw from Dutch squad

Robben: Hamstring injury

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Arjen Robben and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are out of Holland's upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Real Madrid winger Robben injured his hamstring after coming on as a substitute in Real's 2-2 draw with Espanyol on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Vennegoor suffered a groin problem during the opening exchanges of Celtic's 4-0 drubbing of Hamilton on Saturday.

National coach Bert van Marwijk is yet to call up replacements for his injured duo and may decide to go with those already in the fold.

Return

Of those, Robben's club team-mate Wesley Sneijder is included for the first time since picking up a knee injury in August and Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar has been lured out of international retirement.

The towering shot-stopper announced his decision to no longer be considered for action following Holland's quarter-final defeat to Russia at Euro 2008.

However, he has answered Van Marwijk's call and will be hoping to add to his impressive haul of 128 caps.

He could be handed an opportunity to do so against Iceland in Rotterdam on Saturday, while the Dutch then travel to Oslo to face Norway four days later.