Holland v N Ireland preview

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Midfielder Corry Evans has been ruled out for Northern Ireland.

The Hull player has been struggling with tonsilitis and departed Amsterdam after a brief appearance at training this morning.

“Corry felt a little but unwell on Wednesday when he turned up and he had deteriorated rather than improved,” said manager Michael O’Neill.

“He pulled out of today’s session very early and it made sense for Corry – and for the the health of the remainder of the the squad – that he went went home.

“He got a flight this afternoon. It’s unfortunate for Corry but it gives an opportunity for someone else.”

O’Neill has already lost a host of senior players for his second match in charge, with Evans’ brother Jonny, Aaron Hughes, Gareth McAuley, Chris Baird, Chris Brunt and Steven Davis among those missing this week.

O’Neill has confirmed that Coventry’s Sammy Clingan will captain the side in the absence of his nominated skipper Davis.

“In terms of the experience we have in the squad at the minute, I just felt Sammy was the natural choice,” he said.

“He captains his club and he has captained them through a very difficult season. At times that’s when you develop your true qualities to be a captain.”

The game gives Bert van Marwijk has one final chance to resolve the debate over who should start up front for Holland at Euro 2012.

Van Marwijk is currently wrestling with the kind of selection dilemma most managers crave ahead of a major tournament, with both Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar having the best seasons of their careers.

Van Marwijk prefers to set the team up with just one central striker, meaning one of his forwards looks likely to miss out.

Van Persie started in the centre-forward spot in the 2-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday, meaning Huntelaar could get his chance against Northern Ireland.

“I do not know if I am the number one striker,” Van Persie told OnsOranje ahead of the final warm-up match in Amsterdam.

“I really do not know. Nobody knows that yet. Van Marwijk will go for a striker who works well with the midfield, but that can also be Klaas.

“In recent years, he has developed very well, but I can develop too. There is always room for improvement.”

Van Marwijk was positive about Joris Mathijsen’s prospects of being fit for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

The defender suffered a hamstring injury in the recent friendly with Bulgaria but the signs are good for the Oranje’s first group game against Denmark.

“He is making good progress. He trained a while today with the ball. I assume that he will be ready for Denmark,” he said.

“I hope he is fit in time but he is at least making good progress.”