Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad after a viral infection struck the Dutch squad, with the Merseyside club facing Manchester City in just over a week's time.
Ronald Koeman will be without Gakpo and five of his teammates for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against France on Friday and Gibraltar on Monday. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed on Thursday that Matthijs de Ligt, Sven Botman, Joey Veerman and Bart Verbruggen had also been withdrawn from the squad.
The KNVB, who did not reveal any specific details regarding the illness within the camp, announced that three replacements had been called-up for the upcoming matches, suggesting that selection would be 'reviewed' after the clash with France.
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A statement from the Dutch FA read: "Gravenberch and Scherpen, who are on a training camp in Spain with the Dutch Juniors, will join the group in Paris. De Vrij also joins the selection in Paris, which then consists of 23 players. After the match against France, the composition of the selection will be reviewed."
Liverpool will be hoping that Gakpo is able to recover quickly, with Jurgen Klopp's side making the trip to the Etihad to take on reigning champions City in their first match back after the international break.
The 23-year-old has impressed at Anfield since signing from PSV in January. He enjoyed a productive World Cup campaign and has scored four goals in nine Premier League appearances for Liverpool, including a brace in the 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United earlier this month.
The Merseyside club are also waiting to see if Darwin Nunez will be fit in time for the clash against the Blues, with the striker withdrawing from the Uruguay squad for friendlies against Japan and South Korea after suffering an ankle injury in the 1-0 defeat to Real Madid in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, midfield sensation Stefan Bajcetic will miss the remainder of the season with an adductor injury. However, City could also be hit with an injury blow after star striker Erling Haaland withdrew from Norway's squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia with a groin injury.
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