‎Van Dijk pulls out of Netherlands squad for crucial Nations League tie

Netherlands will be without Virgil van Dijk and Brian Brobbey for their crucial Nations League fixtures as both Premier League stars withdraw from the squad.

‎The Dutch football association (KNVB) confirmed neither player is fit to feature despite turning out for their respective clubs on Sunday.

‎A brief statement was released to confirm the players’ absence.

‎The double withdrawal undoubtedly serves as a major blow to the team’s preparations. It leaves the Netherlands with a reduced 23-man squad, as the national team management opted against calling up any immediate replacements for the pair.

Brian Brobbey helped Sunderland secure victory over Chelsea on Sunday. (Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

‎Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

‎Meanwhile, Brobbey played his part in Sunderland’s impressive 1-0 victory against Chelsea on Sunday.

‎Netherlands manager Xavi Hernandes will now have to navigate the two massive fixtures over the next week without both players.

‎The Dutch will first host Greece in Amsterdam on Friday evening. Following that home fixture, Netherlands will head to Berlin where they face Germany.

‎They play Germany on Monday night to round off their group stage schedule in what promises to be a rigorous tactical test.