ACUÑA RETAINS FIRST TEAM PLACE

Jorge Acuña is set to keep his place in the first eleven in this evening’s game against 1FC Nürnberg. The Chilean trialist skipped training Thursday morning due to a minor injury, but coach Bert van Marwijk sees no problem handing Acuña a start as Paul Bosvelt misses out again. ‘Jorge has a painful toe, but a painkilling injection will soon clear it up. I really want to start with him.’

‘On the one hand because I want to see him on the pitch again. And on the other hand he showed himself to be a good replacement for Bosvelt.’ Acuña will play on the right side of midfield in a team similar if not the same to the one that gained victory over Sturm Graz Tuesday. Lodewijks will play on painkillers in goal, while Van Wonderen and De Nooijer once again form a central defensive duo. Ramon van Haaren starts on the bench. ‘But I am thinking about playing Ramon in the second half,’ coach Bert van Marwijk declared after the final prematch training session. ‘He’s ready. Whether he plays depends to a degree on the way the game goes. It is a practice match, but you can win a cup.’