After shaking off a stubborn knee injury, Bayern captain Mark van Bommel had hoped to make a comeback with a 45-minute appearance for the Netherlands in Wednesday’s friendly against Turkey. The plan was agreed with Bondscoach Bert van Marwijk, but has now been abandoned after Van Bommel returned to Munich on the afternoon of the match – a purely precautionary measure, the 33-year-old informed fcbayern.de.
“After training on Tuesday, I felt a minor reaction in the knee,” reported Van Bommel, “I think it’s better if I go back to Munich, report to Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt, and have a more detailed diagnosis. I don’t want to take any risks before the game against Leverkusen on Saturday. ”
KNVB statement
The Dutch FA (KNVB) issued a statement explaining the situation. “After consulting the medical team, coach Bert van Marwijk decided as a precaution not to field the 67-cap international in the friendly against Turkey.”
Bayern have been without Van Bommel ever since the player returned to his club with a knee injury sustained in a EURO 2012 qualifier between the men in orange and Sweden six weeks ago. FCB medical officer Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt diagnosed torn fibres and bruising in the knee at the time. Van Bommel returned to the Bayern matchday squad last weekend, but did not feature in the victory over Nürnberg.
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