Netherlands skipper and all-time top scorer Robin van Persie could miss the semifinal clash against Argentina because of an upset stomach, according to Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.
The star striker also missed Tuesday's practice session with the team and trained on his own, revealed the Dutchman. "He has some stomach problems, some intestinal problems, so it's best not to train him," revealed van Gaal.
Van Persie has been a standout performer for Holland in the World Cup along with Arjen Robben as he scored twice against Spain in the first match and also netted one against Australia.
The Netherlands coach when asked about whether the 30-year-old will be fit to play in the last-four clash, said he will wait till the eve of the match before taking a call on Manchester United player.
"I don't know," he said. "Tomorrow I'll have to take all these decisions but I can't do that today. We have more than a day to go and Van Persie is a very important player for us."
"Van Persie is our captain so in that capacity alone he is very important," he added. "He only has stomach problems and he has some plasters around his leg, he always does."
Meanwhile, injured Leroy Fer and Ron Vlaar provided some good news to the Netherlands coach as they took part in the practice session, while midfielder Nigel de Jong also returned to the training.
De Jong was hit with a groin injury in a group match against Mexico and was expected to miss rest of the tournament. Van Gaal said the 29-year-old returned to train with the squad, but he is uncertain to start against Argentina.
"He tried out today and we'll have to wait and see how it looks tomorrow because if you want to return to the pitch so quickly you'll always have a reaction," he said. "If these reactions are good, or such that he can play football, then that miracle will have taken place."
After playing a draining quarterfinal match with Costa Rica that went into the penalty shootout, van Gaal believes his side must have recovered after spending 120 minutes on the field.
"In general I give the players two days to recover, so if you have one day less it's an issue, a problem," Van Gaal said. "But a top athlete can perform so my players will be in shape."
