Elia recalled as injury replacement for Netherlands

Published 10/06/2015, 10:26 AM EDT

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Netherlands have recalled forward Eljero Elia to their squad for the first time in three years as an injury replacement for this month’s Euro 2016 qualifiers, the Dutch FA (KNVB) said on Monday.

The 28-year-old Feyenoord striker, who was part of the squad that reached the 2010 World Cup final, replaces Quincy Promes, who has withdrawn through injury. Earlier, the Netherlands, who are struggling to secure a playoff spot having missed out on automatic qualification for the finals in France, replaced the injured Davy Klaassen with his Ajax Amsterdam team mate Riechedly Bazoer.

On Monday, Netherlands coach Danny Blind said defender Daryl Janmaat was doubtful with a slight knee strain.

The Netherlands, who are fourth in Group A, visit Kazakhstan on Saturday and host the Czech Republic in Amsterdam on Tuesday as they bid to finish third and secure a playoff place.

But Turkey, who lead the Dutch by two points and have a better head-to-head record, will clinch the playoff berth with at least a draw away to the Czechs on Saturday if Netherlands lose to miss the Euro finals for the first time since 1984.

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports, having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR, Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino.