Dirk Kuyt injury causes worry for Liverpool FC boss Roy Hodgson

17 November 2010 06:00
Dirk Kuyt 300[LNB]LIVERPOOL are sweating on Dirk Kuyt's fitness ahead of Saturday's clash with West Ham United after he was forced to withdraw from Holland's squad.[LNB]The Liverpool forward has only just returned from a month on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage and played in the games against Chelsea, Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.[LNB]Kuyt joined up with the World Cup finalists following the 1-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium and trained at their base in Katwijk on Monday but then complained of pain in the same ankle.[LNB]It was then agreed with Holland coach Bert van Marwijk yesterday that he should head back to Merseyside rather than play in this evening's Amsterdam friendly against Turkey.[LNB] Kuyt will be assessed by Liverpool's medical staff at Melwood on his return but van Marwijk issued a bulletin that will worry Reds boss Roy Hodgson.[LNB]'Dirk will be missing for the friendly,' said van Marwijk. 'He has too much pain from his ankle. I knew it was going to be a tight race for him to be involved but he thought it would be okay.[LNB]'He really wanted to play. That says a lot about his attitude. But it has been decided that it is best for him to withdraw.'[LNB]Kuyt has endured the worst run of fitness problems in his career this season - he missed three weeks in September after damaging his shoulder while he was away on international duty.[LNB]More seriously, he was stetchered off during Holland's 4-1 win over Sweden after landing awkwardly on October 12 but returned to play a starring role in the 2-0 win against Chelsea.

Source: Liverpool_Echo