Rafael van der Vaart suffers thigh injury

Hamburger SV midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has been forced to withdraw from international duty for the Netherlands after suffering a torn thigh muscle.

Van der Vaart picked up the problem training with the Dutch national side in Katwijk this morning, with PSV Eindhoven playmaker Adam Maher called up as a replacement soon after.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has already lost Georginio Wijnaldum to injury this week, with experienced midfielder Wesley Sneijder recalled as a replacement.

At this stage it is unclear whether Van der Vaart will be available when Hamburg resume their Bundesliga campaign next weekend against Borussia Dortmund.

Van der Vaart has made a strong start to the domestic season, scoring in three of Hamburg's four league games.