PSV Eindhoven boss Fred Rutten has confirmed that striker Danny Koevermans has a hamstring injury.
But Bakkal and Pieters are expected to be fit for Utrecht trip
PSV Eindhoven boss Fred Rutten has confirmed that star striker Danny Koevermans has been ruled out of Sunday's trip to FC Utrecht with a hamstring injury.
The Eredivisie table-toppers will be without the forward for the match at the Galgenwaard Stadium after he sustained the problem in training on Wednesday.
Koevermans has been in fine form this season and is the second-highest scorer in the top-flight behind Ajax's Luis Suarez.
Rutten will therefore be disappointed by the news as he bids to maintain PSV's place at the summit.
He told the club's
official website: "Koevermans is ruled out of Sunday's game at FC Utrecht with a hamstring problem."
Optimistic
But the PSV boss is optimistic regarding the fitness of Otman Bakkal and Erik Pieters after the pair picked up minor problems in Thursday's Europa League win over Cluj.
"I expect Erik Pieters will be fit enough to be called up to the match squad. He was taken off last night as a precaution," he said.
"The same goes for Otman Bakkal. He was suffering with cramp but I'm pretty sure he will pass a fitness test."
Rutten is expecting a tough meeting with Utrecht, who sit in fifth position and could draw level on points with PSV if they record a win.
"FC Utrecht have a good mixture of creative and physically strong players," he added. "I think we are in for an interesting game."
