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Vlaar leaves Dutch training camp

Xinhua, June 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Ron Vlaar withdrew from the Dutch squad on Tuesday after he limped off with a calf injury during training in Katwijk.

The 30-year-old Aston Villa defender therefore will miss Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia in Riga. Vlaar already missed last Friday's friendly against the United States in Amsterdam (3-4 loss). On Monday he had just returned to training, but on Tuesday he had to withdraw.

Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink didn't call up a replacement for Vlaar. Stefan de Vrij also was absent against the U.S. due to a minor knee injury, but the Lazio defender is fit to play against Latvia. Forward Memphis Depay, who missed Monday's training due to a foot injury, is also available.

The Netherlands will fly to Riga on Thursday with 22 players. After the match against the U.S. Hiddink had already dropped Tjaronn Chery (FC Groningen), Davy Propper (Vitesse) and Joel Veltman from the squad.

The Netherlands are in third place in their group and would have to play playoffs if the qualification cycle ended today. Only the third placed team with the best adjusted record (currently: Russia) will advance directly to the final tournament. Endi