Tottenham are facing further injury woes after Jan Paul van Hecke was forced to leave Netherlands training early on Wednesday, subsequently withdrawing from the squad.
The central defender joined Spurs from Brighton in a £52million deal this summer and has been a mainstay in the back line for Roberto De Zerbi.
He appears to be the latest victim of this international break, though. The Netherlands held an open training session in Zeist ahead of their match against Greece and footage shows Van Hecke participating in the early stages of the session before having a conversation with head coach Xavi and taking a seat in the dugout.
Reports in the Dutch media say he lasted just seven minutes and it has since been revealed he has returned to Tottenham for further treatment, meaning he will miss the Nations League clash against Greece on Thursday and then the return meeting with Serbia four days later.
A statement reads: “Jan Paul van Hecke won’t travel to Thessaloniki with the squad.
“The defender got injured during the away game against Serbia and will return to Tottenham Hotspur. Get well soon, JP!”
Jan Paul van Hecke won’t travel to Thessaloniki with the squad. ❌
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 30, 2026
The defender got injured during the away game against Serbia and will return to Tottenham Hotspur.
Get well soon, JP! 🧡 pic.twitter.com/4i00s1Xk6K
Van Hecke had started next to Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence in both the Netherlands’ matches so far in this international break, a draw with Germany and defeat of Serbia. He completed 90 minutes in both matches.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber has been named as a candidate to replace him against Greece.
Der Oranje have had dour luck with injuries in this window, with Sunderland’s Briaan Brobbey, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, and Lutsharel Geertruida all forced to withdraw early.
Tottenham are also facing a lengthy and growing injury list, with Pedro Porro, Dejan Kulusevski and Mykhailo Mudryk among those sidelined.
