Keeper Stekelenburg out of Netherlands squad

Published Oct. 4, 2011 3:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has pulled out of the Netherlands squad for two European Championship qualifiers because he is still suffering from the effects of being kicked in the head two weeks ago.

The Dutch team announced Tuesday that the AS Roma goalkeeper is returning to Italy for further treatment. Stekelenburg has not played since being diagnosed with head and neck trauma after the Sept. 17 collision with Inter Milan defender Lucio.

Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm is expected to take Stekelenburg's place in goal when the Netherlands takes on Moldova in Rotterdam on Friday and Sweden four days later in Solna.

The World Cup runner-up Netherlands is also missing playmaker Wesley Sneijder, who is recovering from a groin injury.

Also Tuesday, Valencia defender Hedwiges Maduro injured an ankle in training and was ruled out of both qualifiers. Coach Bert van Marwijk called up Feyenoord defender Ron Vlaar as a replacement.