Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has conceded that Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is unlikely to be fit for next month's World Cup, describing the 23-year-old's recovery from a groin injury as a 'rollercoaster ride'. Timber has not played since mid-March, and Koeman told Dutch television that the defender is running out of time to prove his fitness.
'He is training again to see if he can make the Champions League final, and be available for the World Cup, but it does not look rosy at the moment,' Koeman said. Arsenal face Crystal Palace on Sunday in their final Premier League match, where victory would secure a first league title in 22 years. Six days later, they meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest, with manager Mikel Arteta hoping Timber can fill in at right-back after Ben White suffered a significant leg injury earlier this month.
Koeman, however, is more optimistic about striker Memphis Depay, who has been sidelined with a thigh injury since late March and has not played for Corinthians. The 32-year-old, the Netherlands' record scorer with 55 goals, is expected to return in the coming weeks. 'He still has three matches with Corinthians before we get together as the Dutch national team,' Koeman said. 'He really needs to get minutes in those matches. I assume that will happen, and if everything goes well, he might even play 90 minutes in the final match.'
The Dutch will be without defender Matthijs de Ligt, midfielder Jerdy Schouten and forward Xavi Simons for the World Cup due to injuries. They have been drawn in Group F alongside Japan, Sweden and Tunisia, with their opening match against Japan.
Netherlands were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by eventual champions Argentina in 2022, and Koeman will be hoping his squad can go further this time. The tournament begins next month.
