Called-up Netherlands international withdraws from Xavi

Justin Kluivert will not be able to report for duty with the Netherlands on Monday. The attacking midfielder will miss Bournemouth's match against Manchester City on Sunday and, according to manager Marco Rose, will be sidelined for several weeks with an injury, meaning he will miss the first international break under head coach Xavi Hernández.

Kluivert suffered the injury on Thursday evening during the Europa League match against Real Sociedad in San Sebastián. Bournemouth won 1-2 on their European debut, with Kluivert playing a leading role by scoring the opening goal after just 11 minutes.

The Dutchman stayed on the pitch despite the injury and only came off in the 84th minute for David Brooks. A few days later, Rose made it clear Bournemouth will be without him for the time being. "Justin picked up an injury in San Sebastián. We will have to do without him for a few weeks. It is nothing very serious, but it needs time."

Xavi must now immediately improvise with his first squad as head coach of the Dutch national team. Kluivert was part of the group of 26 players due to report in Zeist on Monday afternoon, 21 September, for the start of a busy international period.

Next up are four Nations League matches in the coming weeks. The Dutch national team begin on Thursday 24 September at the Johan Cruijff ArenA against Germany, before meetings with Serbia, Greece and Serbia again.

A replacement call-up now looks likely after Kluivert's withdrawal. Feyenoord captain Luciano Valente and PSV midfielder Guus Til look like the two most obvious candidates, although it is not yet clear whether the head coach will actually add another player to his squad.

Til was still part of the Netherlands squad for the World Cup under Ronald Koeman, but was a notable omission from Xavi's first group. PSV coach Peter Bosz said on Friday he was surprised his midfielder had not been informed personally. "He did not even get a phone call. That is quite remarkable, because he was still there at the World Cup."

By contrast, Valente made his case on the pitch on Sunday while Xavi watched from the stands as Feyenoord beat FC Utrecht 5-0. The midfielder scored from the penalty spot and admitted afterwards that he had hoped for an invitation: "Of course you are disappointed. Deep down I had hoped a little that I would be in it, but I have to do my talking with my feet and I did that today."