Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder was forced to withdraw from the Holland squad due to muscle injury.

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk will not be able to count on Sneijder for the friendly games against Brazil and Uruguay.

The Inter playmaker missed the season finale through a muscle injury, but helped the Neroazzurri win the Coppa Italia trophy last night. However, he is still far from being fully fit and has, therefore, decided to stay at home.

Rafael van der Vaart, Michael Vorm, Demy de Zeuw, Mark van Bommel, Theo jansen, Maarten Stekelenburg and Michel Vorm also miss out through injury.

Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay admitted that he was in need of rest following a draining season, but he will, nevertheless, take part in the two friendly games.

“Of course, it would be better for me if I did not travel to South America with the national team,” Afellay told De Telegraaf.

“Staying home is not an option in the coach’s opinion and I have to respect that. We are already missing a number of players due to injury and we want to play with a strong team.

“I understand that and I don’t want to let my team-mates down. Playing for Oranje is still an honour for me.”

Holland squad:

Keepers: Tim Krul (Newcastle), Jasper Cillessen (NEC Nijmegen).

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Hoffenheim), Jeffrey Bruma (Chelsea), John Heitinga (Everton), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Erik Pieters (PSV Eindhoven), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax).

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Kevin Strootman (FC Utrecht).

Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente).