Robben to be given more time after injury deemed less serious

Dutch winger Arjen Robben will be given more time to recover from a hamstring injury by coach Bert van Marwijk it was announced on Sunday by the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB).

Robben injured his left hamstring in the 87th minute of the Netherlands’ 6-1 friendly win over Hungary in Amsterdam on Saturday, having earlier scored two goals in a 40-minute second-half cameo.

The Bayern Munich star – named Bundesliga player of the season – underwent medical examinations on Sunday in Rotterdam and it was deemed that the injury was not as serious as first feared and he would be going out later this week to join up with the rest of the squad.

“Therefore for the time being, I will not replace Arjen,” said van Marwijk.

“I want to give him all opportunities to associate with our squad later in the tournament.”

The injury-prone Robben – a member of the Dutch sides that reached Euro 2004, 2008 and the 2006 World Cup finals – had missed his country’s first two World Cup warm-up matches due to a hip problem.

The match against Hungary was the Netherlands’ last before the World Cup in South Africa.

They open their Group E campaign against Denmark on June 14 before tackling Japan on June 19 and Cameroon on June 24.