Van Bommel pain for PSV
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Article summary
Mark van Bommel will miss crucial games for PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands following groin surgery.
Article body
PSV Eindhoven captain Mark van Bommel has been ruled out for up to two months following groin surgery.
European absence
The 26-year-old midfield player underwent an operation to treat a small hernia at the St Anna Hospital in Geldrop. Van Bommel will definitely miss the remaining UEFA Champions League group stage matches against AEK Athens FC, RC Deportivo La Coruña and AS Monaco FC and is not expected to play again until after the winter break in the Netherlands.
Dutch despair
The injury, which has an expected recovery time of six to eight weeks, also has consequences for the Dutch national team as Van Bommel will miss both legs of the UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off against Scotland on 15 and 19 November. The winner will claim a place at next summer’s finals in Portugal.
Off the pace
The groin problem flared up during last Sunday's Eredivisie match against AFC Ajax, with Van Bommel needing to be replaced after an hour. The game finished 2-2, leaving PSV two points adrift of the leaders Ajax in third place.
