Georginio Wijnaldum surprised by Robin van Persie omission

Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has admitted that he is surprised Robin van Persie has been left out of the squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Wales and Germany.

The Fenerbahce striker has been omitted from the 24-man party by head coach Danny Blind after struggling to find form since joining the Turkish side from Manchester United during the summer.

Blind has selected Schalke 04's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Wolfsburg man Bas Dost and Luuk de Jong of PSV Eindhoven as his main striking options instead.

"Whether the coach is going to change a lot, I do not know," Newcastle United man Wijnaldum told Football Oranje.

"The selection has not changed very radically. After Robin van Persie, of course. What I thought when I heard that he is no longer there? It was surprising, he has always been there and has played over a hundred matches."

Netherlands, who have failed to qualify for Euro 2016, face Wales on November 13 before taking on rivals Germany on November 17.