Injured Van der Vaart out of Dutch warm-up

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Jun 2: Injured playmaker Rafael van der Vaart will miss the Netherlands' final World Cup warm-up match against Australia on Sunday.

The midfielder, who had ankle surgery in April, suffered a new ankle injury during training.

Coach Marco van Basten believes Van der Vaart will be fit in time for the competition proper, however, and is not considering replacing him.

''Rafael is doing fine right now but it wouldn't be wise to use him on Sunday,'' Van Basten told reporters after the 2-1 win over Mexico yesterday.

''He is a player with specific qualities and will have to earn his spot in the team during the training sessions.'' Van Basten is likely to use his first-choice team against Australia, coached by compatriot Guus Hiddink .

His side will travel to Germany on Tuesday and kick off their World Cup campaign on June 11 against Serbia and Montenegro. Argentina and Ivory Coast are also in the Dutch group at the finals.

REUTERS