Lutsharel Geertruida handed late World Cup call as Ta Bi shines for Ivory Coast U21s | OneFootball

Sunderland’s World Cup contingent has grown to 12 after Lutsharel Geertruida received a late Netherlands call-up, with Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber ruled out. The Black Cats already had 11 players set to feature at this summer’s finals.

The Netherlands FA said Timber has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part, and will leave the pre-camp after the Uzbekistan game. Ronald Koeman has called up Geertruida, restoring the squad to 26 at their base in Kansas.

Geertruida spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light from RB Leipzig, making 30 appearances. As it stands he is set to return to Leipzig, so it appears unlikely he will be part of Sunderland’s preparations for a historic season.

He now has a chance to impress for the Netherlands, who face Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in the group stage.

Winger Jocelin Ta Bi will not be in Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad, but he has impressed for the Under-21s in France. After joining from Maccabi Netanya in January, an ankle injury restricted the 21-year-old to two outings.

He opened the scoring in a 3-3 draw with Japan, struck in a 3-1 win over Venezuela, then hit a brace in a 2-1 victory against Canada. The result secured a semi-final place, with Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, China and Congo possible opponents.

Source: Sunderland Echo