Jurrien Timber ruled out of World Cup with groin injury

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to recover from a persistent groin injury. Although he travelled with the squad to the United States, the 24-year-old departed camp following the final warm-up match against Uzbekistan after the KNVB concluded he could not take part in a “medically responsible manner.” Ronald Koeman has called up Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida as an emergency replacement.

Geertruida, who had been on the standby list, will travel to the Netherlands’ main base camp in Kansas, keeping the squad at 26 players for the group stage. Geertruida’s ability to operate at right-back and in the centre of defence makes him a logical stand-in for Timber.

While Timber’s technical quality and ball-carrying will be missed, the Sunderland player offers a reliable alternative and is already familiar with Koeman’s tactical setup.

United States, Kansas

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