Robben comeback ends in injury
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Article summary
Netherlands winger Arjen Robben faces six more weeks out after suffering another hamstring injury.
Article body
Costly comeback
Robben, who will join Chelsea FC in the summer, sustained a tear in the hamstring in his right leg on his comeback appearance for PSV against FC Groningen on Sunday. The 20-year-old had just returned from a month's absence with a hamstring injury in the same leg, and now faces a further six weeks on the sidelines.
'Sad and damaging'
The Dutch club had hoped Robben would be available for their UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg against Newcastle United FC on Wednesday, but coach Guus Hiddink has ruled him out of his plans altogether. "It seems Robben has played his last match for PSV and this is disappointing," Hiddink said. "The injury is right above the wound that had just healed. It is sad for him and damaging for PSV."
Concern for Advocaat
Robben has scored twice in four international appearances, but his fitness will be a worry for Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat as he finalises his squad for this summer's tournament in Portugal. However, the player said: "The [UEFA] European Championship begins in six weeks' time and I expect to be fully fit by then."
