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Pieters replaces Riedewald in Dutch squad

Xinhua, November 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Netherlands head coach Danny Blind on Monday called up Erik Pieters as replacement for injured Jairo Riedewald in the preparation for the friendlies against Wales and Germany.

Ajax defender Riedewald reported at the start of the Dutch training camp in Noordwijk, but after his medical examination showed the extent of his knee injury he went home.

His replacement, the 27-year-old Pieters, who played his last of 18 matches for the Netherlands in September last year, has a steady season with Stoke City up to now, starting in all 12 Premier League matches.

From the initial Netherlands squad of 24 players announced last Friday Feyenoord goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer already withdrew on Sunday due to a groin injury. He was replaced by PSV's Jeroen Zoet.

The main absentee in the squad is Robin van Persie, all-time topscorer with 50 goals in 101 Dutch internationals. Head coach Blind wants the 32-year-old Fenerbahce forward to turn fit first and play more full matches for his club. Feyenoord midfielder Marko Vejinovic is the only debutant in the squad.

Captain Arjen Robben will only play the first match against Wales on November 13 in Cardiff and skip the next one against Germany on November 17 in Hannover. As "Oranje" missed out on Euro 2016 the matches will form the first preparation matches for the start of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Full Netherlands squad:

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Maarten Stekelenburg (Southampton), Jeroen Zoet (PSV).

Defenders: Jeffrey Bruma (PSV), Virgil van Dijk (Southampton), Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Erik Pieters (Stoke City), Kenny Tete (Ajax), Joel Veltman (Ajax).

Midfielders: Riechedley Bazoer (Ajax), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jordy Clasie (Southampton), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Marko Vejinovic (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United).

Forwards: Bas Dost (VfL Wolfsburg), Eljero Elia (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (Manchester United), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich). Endit