Ajax will be hoping to have their squad boosted with head coach Alfred Schreuder hopes to have four players full recovered by the time they face FC Twente this weekend in the Eredivisie, Voetbal International reports.
The Amsterdam club have been plagued with injuries and illnesses of late with 10 players confirmed out before their KNVB Cup clash away to Den Bosch.
Schreuder has confirmed he hopes Brian Brobbey (bruised shoulder), Steven Berghuis and Steven Bergwijn (both flu) will all be able to feature in the matchday squad in their crucial league tie but there is still some concern over Jurrien Timber (flu).
He said: “I spoke to Jurrien yesterday and that also seemed to be going better. We have to wait and see how it goes tomorrow and Friday.
“Every player is of course important, but Jurrien is an undisputed basic player. You do need that. On the other hand, the boys in the centre also did well [against Den Bosch].”
Just before the match against Den Bosch, it became clear that Edson Alvarez is also ill. So it seems that Schreuder does not expect the Mexican back for Saturday’s game.
The situation could mean a number of youngsters could be given the chance to make the matchday squad with Kian Fitz-Jim and 16-year-old Jorrel Hato making appearances in the KNVB Cup clash.
Opportunities arise for other players due to the laundry list of absentees. For example, Kian Fitz-Jim had his first starting spot and 16-year-old defender Jorrel Hato made his debut as a substitute.
Schreuder added: “They are doing well at Jong Ajax. They now also play effortlessly at Ajax. We also had no other choices, but the boys are also doing well at Jong Ajax, so it is nice to give them minutes. They were also at training camp.”
