Dutch sweat on Robben fitness

Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk will wait until the last minute to decide if star winger Arjen Robben will play against Cameroon after he came through a full training session on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Bayern Munich player has played no role in The Netherlands opening two World Cup Group E successes against Denmark and Japan after suffering a thigh injury in a warm-up victory over Hungary.

But he appears to be on the road to recovery and Van Marwijk said he was encouraged by what he saw on Wednesday.

“With Arjen, I wanted to see him in training today. If everything looks well then he will be in for selection for the match,” he said.

“I will just wait until the last moment. Tomorrow I will decide whether or not he can be selected.”

Robben, formerly of PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea and Real Madrid, has undergone an intensive bout of treatment for the injury and is keen to be involved.

“I want to play. I have to have game-time in order to rediscover my feeling and the rhythm of the matches,” Robben said earlier.

“I had to suffer like a martyr to get fit in time for the finals.”

The Netherlands have already made sure of their last 16 place while Cameroon have no chance of making the second round.