Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has been ruled out of the upcoming Euro 2008 Championships in Austria and Switzerland after tearing his ankle ligaments in training. The injury occurred in the Dutch village of Hoenderloo where Van Basten and his boys are currently based as they get ready to take on Wales in their final friendly in Rotterdam.

Marco Van Basten has not named a replacement for the pacy 21 year old, but is expected to announce one once Babel is inspected by UEFA doctors. If he does decide to go in for a forward, then Danny Koevermans would be the most obvious choice, but Kew Jaliens, Urby Emanuelson, Denny Landzaat, Hedwiges Mauro and Khalid Boulahrouz will all be keeping their fingers crossed in anticipation of a  possible call up to the national squad.

Meanwhile, Van Basten will be feeling relieved after Feyenoord defender Tim de Cler, who twisted his right knee in training, was proclaimed fit to take part in the friendly against Wales. The last time the Oranje met Wales , the scoreline read 7-1 in favour of the Netherlands with Dennis Bergkamp netting a hat-trick in Eindhoven. The Dragons are without James Collins, Danny Gabbidon and Gareth Bale for this game.