Netherlands forward Noa Lang to miss Norway friendly after undergoing hand surgery

Noa Lang will sit out the opening World Cup preparation fixture following a serious laceration to his right thumb incurred during Galatasaray's Champions League encounter with Liverpool at Anfield last week, according to confirmation from the Dutch football federation.

The hand of the 26-year-old became wedged between a pair of advertising hoardings in an unfortunate mishap, leading to surgery at a hospital in England.

With the Amsterdam game on Friday arriving before Lang can recover fully, the Netherlands medical team anticipates his return for the subsequent friendly versus Ecuador in Eindhoven, as per media reports from Tuesday.

As the Dutch team gears up for the World Cup, they face a substantial injury roster this month, featuring absences from Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Memphis Depay, Emmanuel Emegha, Justin Kluivert and reserve goalkeeper Robin Roefs.