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Strootman returns to Netherlands squad

Xinhua, May 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

After an absence of two years, Kevin Strootman returned to the Netherlands squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Ireland, Poland and Austria, the Dutch football association KNVB announced on Wednesday.

Dutch head coach Danny Blind named 26 players, including one debutant, the 19-year-old FC Utrecht midfielder Bart Ramselaar. Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena and PSV forward Jurgen Locadia did not receive their first callup, but also still have to play their first match for the Dutch team.

AS Roma player Kevin Strootman played his last international on March 5, 2014, against France (2-0 loss), when he limped off with a knee injury. After a long revalidation period, with a short return and several setbacks, the 26-year-old midfielder returned to action in February this year.

Dutch captain Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) is absent due to a thigh injury, while former captain Robin van Persie (Fenerbahce) was left out for the third time in a row. Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), who was not part of the preliminary squad, was included.

The Netherlands will travel to Portugal for a training camp on Sunday May 22. The Dutch team, which failed to qualify for Euro 2016, will play friendlies against Ireland on May 27 in Dublin, Poland on June 1 in Gdansk and Austria on June 4 in Vienna.

Netherlands squad for friendlies against Ireland, Poland and Austria:

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Kenneth Vermeer (Feyenoord), Jeroen Zoet (PSV)

Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland), Virgil van Dijk (Southampton), Jeffrey Bruma (PSV), Jetro Willems (PSV), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Kenny Tete (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (AZ), Daley Blind (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Riechedly Bazoer (Ajax), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Marco van Ginkel (PSV), Davy Propper (PSV), Bart Ramselaar (FC Utrecht), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United), Kevin Strootman (AS Roma)

Forwards: Vincent Janssen (AZ), Jurgen Locadia (PSV), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Bas Dost (VfL Wolfsburg), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow), Memphis Depay (Manchester United). Endit