Netherlands has called-up Joshua Zirkee to the national team squad as a replacement for the injured Brian Brobbey..

The Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) announced on its official website on Friday that Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has been called up to the national team squad as a replacement for Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey, who suffered an injury during a recent UEFA Nations League match against Germany.

According to the Netherlands Football Association (KNVB)'s official statement, Brobbey has returned to Sunderland to await treatment for a suspected hamstring injury. Team doctors have arranged for scans to assess the injury's severity, and the duration of his absence will be determined once the scan results and treatment plans are finalized.

The news of Brobbey’s withdrawal due to injury is undoubtedly a major blow for the Netherlands.

The Sunderland forward, who recently scored a hat-trick in a Premier League match against Manchester City, has been in excellent form since the start of the season, rivaling Liverpool's Cody Gakpo as the team's most in-form forward.

Even before this latest squad announcement, the Oranje were already facing a shortage of attacking options, as Roma's Donyell Malen had also missed out on selection due to injury.

Meanwhile, Ajax forward Wout Weghorst and the national team's all-time leading topscorer, Memphis Depay, were not considered for selection.

It is worth mentioning that this marks Joshua Zirkzee's first national team call-up in two years. His last appearance for the squad dates back to a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in November 2024.

The Netherlands has three remaining UEFA Nations League group stage matches. 

During this period, they will face Serbia both home and away, with an away fixture against Greece sandwiched in between.

Image source: Internet / KNVB Official Website