Dutch defender set to miss Danish test

Published Jun. 7, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Holland defender Joris Mathijsen is expected to sit out their Euro 2012 opener against Denmark because of a hamstring injury.

The Malaga centre-back has not trained fully over the last couple of days because of the problem, and coach Bert van Marwijk admits he is a likely absentee on Saturday.

"As things stand now, it is 80% certain he will not play against Denmark," said Van Marwijk.

The Oranje boss will consider calling up a replacement if Mathijsen fails to show rapid improvement.

"I will wait and see how things develop over the next two days and what the prospects are," he said. "Then I will decide.

"Muscle injuries are always difficult to predict.

"Missing the first game of the tournament is different to missing the first two games."