Feyenoord boss Mario Been is banking on the fitness of Ron Vlaar ahead of Sunday's crunch clash at VVV.
Coach says skipper's presence will be 'important factor' in result
Feyenoord coach Mario Been is banking on the fitness of captain Ron Vlaar ahead of Sunday's crunch clash at VVV Venlo.
After a disappointing start to the Eredivisie season, the Rotterdammers have turned things around and now sit just a point off the European play-off places with two games remaining.
Skipper Vlaar has been influential in Feyenoord's resurgence this season, but the centre-back picked up a calf injury in last weekend's victory over PSV.
Been is hopeful the 26-year-old will have recovered in time for Sunday's encounter, as well as their final match of the season against NEC the following week.
"I assume that Vlaar will be fit in time," the coach told the
Algemeen Dagblad. "His presence is an important factor.
"We must win to keep eighth place in our sights."
Revenge
Feyenoord secured a 3-1 win over PSV to claim revenge for the return fixture back in October, when the Rotterdam club suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat.
But Been is taking nothing for granted against lowly Venlo, currently second-bottom of the standings.
He added: "Obviously we have a very good feeling after the match against PSV.
"But, even though Sunday sounds like kicking in an open door, Venlo will be a completely different game."
