Tim Krul set for Netherlands debut against Brazil while Tottenham’s Rafael van der Vaart is ruled out

Tim Krul of Newcastle (Getty Images)

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Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay.

The World Cup finalists will lock horns with the Brazilians on June 4 before taking on the Sky Blues four days later. Netherlands beat the Selecao 2-1 in the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup before defeating Uruguay 3-2 in the semi-finals.

Van Marwijk will have to make do without first choice goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg due to injury and has called up Newcastle United’s Tim Krul and NEC’s Jasper Cillessen as alternatives. Both young shot stoppers have yet to make their debut for Oranje.

AC Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel and Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart have both been left out due to injury. Jeremain Lens (PSV), Theo Janssen (Twente), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord) and Jelle ten Rouwelaar (NAC) were all dropped from the provisional squad as well.

The match against Brazil could be Arjen Robben’s first appearance for Holland since the World Cup final loss to Spain. The Bayern Munich attacker missed Oranje’s previous games due to injury.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Michel Vorm (Utrecht), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Jasper Cillessen (NEC) 

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Hoffenheim), Jeffrey Bruma (Chelsea), John Heitinga (Everton), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Erik Pieters (PSV), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Kevin Strootman (Utrecht), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax) 

Attackers: Eljero Elia (HSV), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Luuk de Jong (Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)