A toe injury threatens to rule Robin van Persie out of the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against Hungary in Amsterdam on Friday.
Van Persie, on the verge of matching the record tally of goals for the Dutch national team, was hurt in last week’s Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
When asked if van Persie could leave the squad early, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal said “No, because there is a chance that he can play against Turkey, and he is my captain. That’s all.”
Van Gaal said that he would continue training and a final decision on his playing would be made closer to kick off.
If van Persie does not play on Friday, he is likely to remain with the squad in a bid to be fit for Tuesday’s final European Group D qualifier in Turkey.
The Dutch have already secured a berth at next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.