Dirk Kuyt injury causes worry for Liverpool FC boss Roy Hodgson

Dirk Kuyt 300LIVERPOOL 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.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.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.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. 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.'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.'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.'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.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