After a two-year absence, Kevin Strootman will once again where the orange of the Dutch national team with the midfielder expected to start against the Republic of Ireland on Friday.
- By Michael Bell
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Strootman last featured for Netherlands on the 5th of March 2014 before suffering from two years of injury hell which raised doubts on whether the Roma star would ever return to top level football. However, Strootman returned to the Roma line-up towards the end of the season and will start for Netherlands in their friendly in Dublin on Friday.
The Oranje held a secret training session in Portugal on Wednesday with Strootman among the players handed a bib which indicates the expected starting line-up on Friday. Danny Blind will also hand starts to Vincent Janssen, Memphis Depay and Riechedly Bazoer as Netherlands start in a 4-3-3 formation.
Expected Netherlands line-up: Cillessen, Veltman, Willems, Bruma, Blind, Bazoer, Strootman, Wijnaldum, Promes, Memphis, Janssen
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