Meerdink and Til added to Oranje Nations League squad

AZ Alkmaar striker Mexx Meerdink and PSV’s Guus Til have been called up as late replacements to Xavi Hernandez’ Netherlands men’s football squad for this week’s Nations League clash with Germany.

They replace Bournemouth striker Justin Kluivert and AS Roma forward Donyell Malen, who withdrew at the weekend with injuries.

Til, 28, has won eight caps in as many years and was part of Ronald Koeman’s World Cup squad in the summer, marked his recall by scoring twice for his club away to Twente Enschede at the weekend, but PSV still lost 3-2.

Meerdink, 23, who is hiping to win his first cap, scored AZ’s only goal against Telstar as they leapfrogged PSV at the top of the table.

The inclusion of the pair brings the number of Eredivisie players in Xavi’s 26-man squad to five. Thursday’s match against Germany in Amsterdam is the Spaniard’s first as head coach since he was appointed as Koeman’s successor last month.

Memphis left out

Xavi said the hardest decision had been to tell Memphis Depay, Oranje’s record goalscorer, he was being left out of the squad.

“I have a good relationship with Memphis, but his response was amazing,” the coach said. “He showed maturity and intelligence. I have a lot of respect for Memphis.

“But I want to say that the door is open for all the players. The door is not closed for Memphis or any player. If they perform and they are fit, they can come back.”