Netherlands head coach Xavi has explained why Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke was sent back from international duty, saying the 27-year-old’s toe was so sore that he couldn’t make contact with the ball in training.
Van Hecke played every minute of both Nations League fixtures this week, a 1-1 draw with Germany in Amsterdam last Thursday and a 2-1 away win over Serbia on Sunday. It was in the Serbia game that he was hurt. The adrenaline of the match meant he didn’t notice an opponent had trodden on his toe, and the pain only became clear once the game was over.
Xavi told Dutch broadcaster NOS, as reported by Sport Witness, that the defender was desperate to carry on but was in too much discomfort, which is why he was removed from the squad. Van Hecke took part in recovery sessions on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, but still couldn’t manage to play the ball.
He has since returned to Hotspur Way, where the full extent of the injury will be assessed. He will miss the Netherlands’ upcoming trip to Greece and the home game against Serbia, and his availability for Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs is now uncertain.
Tottenham paid £52million this summer to release him from the last year of his contract and bring him back together with his former Brighton boss. He has played every Premier League minute for Spurs so far and scored his first goal for the club in the 3-2 loss to Aston Villa, a result that left them bottom of the table heading into the international break.
Spurs are next in action on October 10 away at Manchester United, and De Zerbi will be anxiously waiting on Van Hecke’s fitness ahead of the Old Trafford trip.
