No worries over van der Sar

Holland coach Marco van Basten expects Edwin van der Sar to be fit to face the Ivory Coast in Stuttgart on Friday.

The Manchester United keeper picked up a calf injury during Sunday’s opening Group C victory over Serbia and Montenegro and, although he played a minor part in training yesterday, sat out today’s public session altogether.

However, Van Basten is confident his captain will be available to face the Ivorians, when victory will virtually guarantee a place in the knock-out stage.

“Edwin will be fit for Friday’s game,” said Van Basten.

“He does have a problem with his calf but it is very minor. He has had some treatment but it is not a big issue and I am sure he will be available.”

The remainder of the Dutch squad trained as normal in sweltering heat at their Freiburg camp, with Marc van Bommel apparently having shaken off the knee injury he picked up against the Serbians.