Geertruida gets late Netherlands World Cup call as Sunderland’s Ta Bi shines for Ivory Coast U21s | OneFootball

Sunderland’s World Cup contingent has risen to 12 after loan defender Lutsharel Geertruida received a late Netherlands call-up. The Black Cats already had 11 players set for the finals from the squad that clinched Europa League qualification, while winger Jocelin Ta Bi has caught the eye for Ivory Coast Under-21s.

The Netherlands FA said Jurriën Timber has not recovered sufficiently from a groin problem and that Geertruida will replace him. Timber missed the final month of Arsenal’s title run-in and played only 54 minutes in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Geertruida made 30 appearances during his season-long loan from RB Leipzig. He is set to return to the Bundesliga club, so seems unlikely to be part of Sunderland’s preparations, but will now head to a World Cup group containing Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.

Ta Bi, 21, joined from Maccabi Netanya in January and featured twice before an ankle injury. He was an unused substitute in Sunderland’s last four matches, then returned to fitness in time for the Maurice Revello Tournament in France.

He opened the scoring in a 3-3 draw with Japan last Monday, then did so again in a 3-1 win over Venezuela two days later. After missing a goalless draw with Portugal on Saturday, he started on Tuesday night and struck twice in a 2-1 victory against Canada, sealing a semi-final place, with Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, China or Congo next.

Source: Sunderland Echo