Jan Paul van Hecke leaves Netherlands camp with foot injury before Greece clash

Training exit and injury confirmation

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke withdrew from the Netherlands national team on Wednesday following a foot injury sustained during training in Zeist. The 18-cap defender participated in an opening running drill before leaving the pitch seven minutes into the session, which was partially open to reporters. After consulting national team manager Xavi Hernández, Van Hecke sat in the dugout and was later ruled out of the upcoming fixture against Greece. The national association confirmed no replacement will be called up to the 23-man squad. Van Hecke returned to London on Wednesday to begin medical treatment with Tottenham ahead of their Premier League fixture against Manchester United on October 10.

Xavi clarified the circumstances surrounding the injury during his arrival in Greece on Wednesday evening.

Someone stepped on his foot. He didn't even realize the consequences at first, but it was impossible for him to play. He wanted to try, but was in a lot of pain. So we decided to take him off the list. He tried to train yesterday and today, but every touch with the ball hurt.

Mounting squad absences and defensive options

Van Hecke completed the full 90 minutes in both earlier Nations League fixtures, partnering Virgil van Dijk in a 1-1 draw with Germany in Amsterdam and a 2-1 win over Serbia in Belgrade. His departure adds to a series of physical setbacks across the Dutch squad during the current international window. Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth and AS Roma forward Donyell Malen withdrew before the camp began, while PSV defender Lutsharel Geertruida, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, and Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey exited the camp earlier in the cycle. Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai Zechiël rejoined the senior group on Monday after featuring for the under-21 team in a European Championship qualifier against Norway.

Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber emerges as the primary candidate to replace Van Hecke in the starting lineup alongside Van Dijk. Timber recently returned from a groin injury and featured as an 80th-minute substitute for Denzel Dumfries in the 2-1 win in Belgrade. Former Dutch international Theo Janssen and journalist Mike Verweij both noted defensive vulnerabilities in Van Hecke's wide play, pointing to Timber as a more natural fit for Xavi's possession tactics. Van Hecke, who joined Tottenham from Brighton & Hove Albion for £52 million during the summer transfer window, had started all five Premier League matches for Spurs this season.

Group standings and Thessaloniki clash

The Netherlands squad traveled by air from Amsterdam to Thessaloniki on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Thursday's 20:45 kickoff at the Toumba Stadium. Group 2 in League A of the Nations League is currently led by Greece, who hold six points from two matches following a 2-1 win in Serbia and a 1-0 away victory against Germany in Augsburg. The Netherlands sit in second place with four points from two fixtures. Crysencio Summerville accompanied Xavi at the pre-match press conference in Greece on Wednesday evening.

Greece prepared at Toumba Stadium with striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored against Dutch clubs during his Eredivisie spells at Willem II and AZ between 2019 and 2024 before moving to Benfica. Pavlidis, born in Thessaloniki, bought tickets for relatives ahead of the fixture. Xavi acknowledged the stadium atmosphere after giving his players a rest day following Sunday's win in Belgrade.

It's going to be very tough. The stadium will be full. That is a good scenario for us to show our personality.