Luirink signed off for AZ

AZ Alkmaar are set to be without Gijs Luirink for several weeks after the defender broke his cheekbone in an Eredivisie game at the weekend.

Surgical solution
The Dutch UEFA Cup contenders have said that the 23-year-old former Netherlands Under-21 international will undergo surgery to repair the damage but are not sure when he will be fit to return to action. However, he is sure to miss out on the second leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie against Kayserispor.

Mid-air collision
Luirink was involved in a mid-air collision with Otman Bakkal 15 minutes from the end of his side's 2-2 draw against FC Twente on Sunday. He was immediately taken to hospital where initial examinations revealed he had broken his cheekbone in two places.