Eredivisie leaders PSV face AZ Alkmaar away on Friday evening and may yet be able to call upon the services of current injury doubt Andres Guardado.

  • By David Lee Wheatley
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guardad pssThe 28-year-old midfielder suffered a groin problem in the 3-1 win over FC Utrecht on February 7, but returned to full training on Thursday and is therefore included in the travelling party.

PSV head into the contest with a healthy 12-point gap between themselves and nearest title rivals Ajax, while AZ sit a further five points back in fourth spot.

“There shouldn’t be any taking it easy, because you can end up with a smaller margin if you don’t win,” said PSV head coach Phillip Cocu in his pre-match press conference.

“It is a beautiful and interesting game. AZ are in form and will be very motivated from the beginning of the contest.

“It’s going to be a cracker at the top of the Eredivisie. We are doing well and the players are keen to play a good match.”

AZ will be without top goalscorer Aron Johannsson due to an ongoing ankle injury. Also absent will be Viktor Elm (thigh) and Celso Ortiz (arm).

Coach John van den Brom may start with the same eleven that ended Sunday’s 4-2 victory at FC Groningen.