Ake available to play for Dutch in Dublin
AMSTERDAM, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Nathan Ake is available for the Netherlands´ European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Sunday after being replaced in their last match on Thursday with a hamstring problem.
The defender went off after the first half of the Netherlands' 3-0 Group B win over Greece in Eindhoven.
Coach Ronald Koeman said Ake had felt a twinge in his hamstring and been replaced as a precautionary measure but that the Manchester City centre would be available for Sunday´s match.
With runaway group leaders France holding a nine point lead over the second placed Dutch, who have two games in hand, the battle for the runners-up berth has gathered intensity. The top two teams are guaranteed qualification to next year´s finals in Germany.
The Dutch and Greeks have six points each while the Irish have only three. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
