Van der Vaart returns to Dutch training

Dutch attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart returned to training after a two-day absence on Thursday, the day before the Netherlands’ World Cup quarter-final with Brazil in Port Elizabeth.

The Real Madrid player had complained of cramps in his left calf earlier in the week and did not feature in Holland’s 2-1 defeat of Slovakia in the last 16.

Van der Vaart is now fit to play against Brazil but coach Bert van Marwijk may be tempted to keep faith with Dirk Kuyt and Arjen Robben, who occupied the wide positions in the victory against the Slovaks.

Should van der Vaart return to the side, Kuyt is most likely to give up his position on the left to accommodate him.

“My 23 players are ready to play,” said van Marwijk.

“Arjen Robben, who played 20 minutes against Cameroon (in the 2-1 group stage win) and 70 minutes against Slovakia, is now ready to play 90 minutes.”