'We need him': Verbruggen & Memphis in race to be fit for the Netherlands' World Cup opener

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/verbruggen-bart/6PChQYLj/"]Verbruggen[/a] fell heavily after being knocked while catching a ‌ball in the 2-1 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uzbekistan/EZYKKRMc/"]Uzbekistan[/a], forcing ‌him to hobble off.[/p][p][b]"He did not take part in training. ‌We have to wait and see and hope that ‌he can be involved on Sunday," [/b]coach [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/koeman-ronald/vHeYAvb2/"]Ronald Koeman[/a] told a press conference at the team base on Wednesday.[/p][p]But the coach ‌offered a positive outlook later.[/p][p][b]"It's only ⁠a bruise, so we ‌don't know yet how things will be on Sunday. We are ​hopeful, but we'll have to see how far along he actually is."[/b][/p][p]Koeman said it was not ​a concern because he had other good goalkeepers.[/p][p][b]"Who might play in goal? We still have to decide that. ⁠We will provide clarity ​on that during our discussions with the goalkeepers,"[/b] the coach added.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/flekken-mark/INE64p13/"]Mark Flekken[/a] took over from Verbruggen in the match against Uzbekistan, and the other choice is [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/roefs-robin/Ao7TtUZn/"]Robin Roefs[/a], ‌who won his first cap a week ago when the Dutch lost a friendly to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/nc87N1BR/"]Algeria[/a] in Rotterdam.[/p][embed guid="e9161c72-59c0-4e16-8748-bb7a3856ef40" url="https://x.com/OnsOranje/status/2064727366748766443" social-type="twitter" /][p]Koeman was also asked if he had made up his mind who would lead the attack [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/japan-ULXPdOUj/netherlands-WYintcWb/?mid=4SV9xFBO"]in Dallas on Sunday[/a], a question referring to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/depay-memphis/zo1h8MrD/"]Memphis Depay[/a]’s fitness after a thigh injury that has limited his playing time over the last three months.[/p][p]The Netherlands' record goalscorer has struggled in 2026, playing just four league games for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/corinthians/QBGfQbSe/"]Corinthians[/a] and averaging a Flashscore Rating of 6.5[/p][p]"It’s Wednesday and we play on Sunday, but I think if I still have doubts then ​I haven’t done my homework properly.[/p][p][b]"We know that ‌Memphis has had some injuries and hasn't played in recent weeks, but now he's back. Every day he is getting closer to his top level.[/b][/p][p][b]"He is our all-time leading goal scorer and we need him, ⁠just like we need ⁠all the other players," ‌[/b]Koeman added.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]