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Van der Vaart out of England friendly

ESPN staff
February 27, 2012
Rafael van der Vaart has an ankle problem © Getty Images
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Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for the match against England due to injury.

Van der Vaart will play no part in the Wembley friendly on Wednesday - England's first under Stuart Pearce - having picked up an ankle complaint.

The 29-year-old came on as a half-time substitute for Spurs during Sunday's Premier League clash at Arsenal, which the hosts won 5-2, and picked up the knock during the second half.

He had been considered a fitness doubt for that fixture, having missed Tottenham's previous three games with a calf problem sustained against Wigan during January.

He is now reportedly unlikely to feature in Spurs' clash with Manchester United at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Van der Vaart's Tottenham team-mate Kyle Walker withdrew from the England squad on Monday.

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