Injury sidelines Robben for Belarus and France

The Hague: Injury-prone Netherlands captain Arjen Robben will not play in upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and France.

The Bayern Munich forward, who has not added to his 88 internationals for the Netherlands in almost a year because of a string of injuries, is still feeling the effects of a rib injury.

Netherlands coach Danny Blind says Robben will not play against Belarus on Friday or France on Monday.

Blind says: “I spoke to Arjen this morning. He’s not coming. He’s not fit.”

The three-time World Cup finalists began Group A with a 1-1 draw in Sweden.