Robin Van Persie Could Feature Against England Despite Injury Concerns

Robin van Persie could find himself at the centre of a club versus country tug of war, with the striker set to feature in Holland’s friendly with England at Wembley tonight.

Van Persie, who is believed to have a slight groin problem after complaining of pain, was declared able to play by the KNVB, Dutch Football Association, despite not undergoing a fitness test.

As reported by the Guardian, Kees Jansma, spokesperson for the KNVB said: “I think he is ok, he is ok. He is completely fit. Its absolutely not serious, so there is no problem at all.”

His comments are sure to frustrate Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made his feelings on players featuring in mid-season friendlies clear on a number of occasions. Wenger even recalled Van Persie ahead of Holland’s game with Germany last November for fear of injury.

Van Persie has found the net 33 times this season and his talismanic display at the weekend helped overcome a 0-2 deficit to beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the north London derby.

With Arsenal facing Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Wenger will be hoping his star striker is fit. Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League and face a Liverpool team brimming with confidence following their Carling Cup Final triumph over Cardiff City.

Arsenal are hoping to consolidate fourth place, as they look for Champions League football next season, however, victory for Kenny Dalglish’s charges will see them just four points off of the gunners.

Robin van Persie could find himself at the centre of a club versus country tug of war, with the striker set to feature in Holland’s friendly with England at Wembley tonight.

Van Persie, who is believed to have a slight groin problem after complaining of pain, was declared able to play by the KNVB, Dutch Football Association, despite not undergoing a fitness test.

As reported by the Guardian, Kees Jansma, spokesperson for the KNVB said: “I think he is ok, he is ok. He is completely fit. Its absolutely not serious, so there is no problem at all.”

His comments are sure to frustrate Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made his feelings on players featuring in mid-season friendlies clear on a number of occasions. Wenger even recalled Van Persie ahead of Holland’s game with Germany last November for fear of injury.

Van Persie has found the net 33 times this season and his talismanic display at the weekend helped overcome a 0-2 deficit to beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the north London derby.

With Arsenal facing Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Wenger will be hoping his star striker is fit. Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League and face a Liverpool team brimming with confidence following their Carling Cup Final triumph over Cardiff City.

Arsenal are hoping to consolidate fourth place, as they look for Champions League football next season, however, victory for Kenny Dalglish’s charges will see them just four points off of the gunners.

Rooney backs Fergie to give United the edge

Wayne Rooney is certain Sir Alex Ferguson will help swing the Premier League title race Manchester United’s way.

Another of those amazing last-gasp winners at Norwich yesterday kept United two points adrift of leaders Manchester City heading into the final 12 games of the campaign.

It is a period of the season Ferguson famously described as “squeaky bum time” due to the high levels of pressure that are placed on the competing teams.

Yet it is also the time when United’s long-serving boss is at his best.

“He is a great manager,” Rooney told

“He knows which players he can speak to and which players he can shout at, if he needs to.

“He knows how the players react and how to get the best out of them. That’s important especially in this day and age.

“His mentality for the game, his commitment and desire are obviously things that the players try and take on themselves.

“For me personally, he’s been brilliant. He is a great leader for our team.”

Rooney missed yesterday’s game with a throat infection that has also ruled him out of England’s midweek friendly with Holland.

Given United visit title rivals Tottenham next Sunday, his club would probably view the international absence as a good thing as they try to oust City from top spot and close in on their 20th championship success.

“We are only a couple of points behind and we have a lot of games to go,” he said.

“We are confident that we can push on now, and start being a bit more consistent towards the end of the season.”

And, from a personal perspective, Rooney wants to maintain his own level of contribution, having made light of his frequent appearances in midfield earlier this season to score 19 goals, only 15 adrift of his best ever tally in 2010.

“It’s been one of my best goal-scoring seasons,” he said.

“Hopefully I can kick on and score a lot more towards the end.”