Netherlands receive boost as Bart Verbruggen returns to group training after hip injury

Verbruggen sustained a hip injury in the nation's final friendly before the World Cup, landing awkwardly on his hip during the match against Uzbekistan. The Brighton goalkeeper, diagnosed with a bruised hip, was substituted shortly afterwards and replaced by Bayer Leverkusen's Mark Flekken.

The 23-year-old Verbruggen was kept separate from the squad in the days that followed, following an individual programme to gradually reintroduce him to full training. Verbruggen returned to group training on Friday, although it is not known if he completed the entire session, as Friday's training was held behind closed doors.

The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign on Sunday against Japan, who Oranje will face at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Group F fixture is scheduled to start at 22.00 CET.