BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — Dutch forward Justin Kluivert is “in a hurry” to return from knee surgery in time for the game. world cupBournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said on Friday.
Kluivert, 26, was injured in early January but played in six of the Netherlands’ eight games. World cup qualifying campaign.
He had scored two goals for the Cherries this season before his injury.
“I think Justin is recovering very well,” Iraola said at a news conference. “He has reached the time margin we expected and everything is going well.
“But he is in a hurry because he wants to play before the season ends. He also wants to keep his options for the World Cup alive.”
But Iraola warned that he could not do anything “stupid” that would jeopardize Kluivert’s recovery.
“You have to give the injury the time it needs,” he said. “I hope he can play before the end of the season. It won’t be easy. He will have to progress as he has been doing because he is doing very well.”
kluivert’s son Dutch great Patrick KluivertAfter six years away, he returned to the national team in November 2024 under coach Ronald Koeman.
The Netherlands will play their opening World Cup match against Japan in Group F on June 14th. They will also play against Sweden and Tunisia.
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