PSV Star Jetro Willems out of World Cup

Netherlands full-back Jetro Willems has been ruled out of this summer’s FIFA World Cup with knee ligament damage.

The 20-year-old defender limped out of PSV’s 2-0 home defeat to Feyenoord on Saturday after sustaining damage to his inner knee and has since had the disastrous news of a forced World Cup withdrawal confirmed by club doctors.

A statement on the club’s official website stated, “Willems had a scan at hospital on Monday to discover the extent of the damage. He will now miss the rest of the season.”

With just two games remaining, PSV will cope without their impressive left-back. However, the consequences for the player are far more severe.

Since breaking through to the national side in 2012, Willems has made 11 appearances for the Oranje army and had been a likely candidate for a spot in Louis van Gaal’s 23-man squad this summer.

However, the youngster will now be forced to watch the tournament at home and will have to wait another four years to represent his country on the grandest stage of all.

The defender is targeting a pre-season return for PSV. The Eindhoven club are now fifth in the Eredivisie standings following that first league defeat to rivals Feyenoord in over a decade.

Meanwhile, as reported by Soccerway, manager Phillip Cocu is also expected to return for the start of next season following the successful removal of a back tumour.

Stats from Soccerway.

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