Brobbey Withdraws From Netherlands Squad With Muscle Injury as Zirkzee Replaces Sunderland Striker
Brian Brobbey has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad with an apparent muscle injury suffered in the 1-1 draw with Germany, with Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee called up as his replacement and Sunderland awaiting their own assessment on their ever-present striker.
Published 26 Sept 2026Updated 26 Sept 20262 min read
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Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey has been forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad after suffering an apparent muscle injury in the first half of Thursday's 1-1 Nations League draw with Germany, with Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee called up as his replacement.
The 24-year-old pulled up during the first half in Amsterdam and was pictured limping heavily down the tunnel, and Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez confirmed after the match that Brobbey is injured and will return to Wearside. A replacement will join the group before Sunday's fixture against Serbia, with Zirkzee the man chosen.
Brian Brobbey in Netherlands colours against Germany (Photo via Getty Images embed)Sunderland lose their ever-present striker
The blow lands hardest on Sunderland. Brobbey had been named in Regis Le Bris' starting XI for every Premier League fixture so far this season, an ever-present pillar of a forward line the club has built around him since his arrival from Ajax. Losing him for any stretch removes both Sunderland's focal point in attack and the continuity the French coach has relied on through the opening weeks of the campaign.
The timing is softened only by the calendar. The Premier League pauses for an extended international break and does not resume until October 10, so a low-grade muscle problem could theoretically heal inside the window without Brobbey missing a single minute of league football. Sunderland's medical staff will assess the injury on his return before putting a timeline on any lay-off.
Zirkzee steps in for the Oranje
For the Netherlands, Zirkzee's call-up is a reward for a steady start to the season at Old Trafford. The Netherlands sit level with Germany at the top of their Nations League group after the Amsterdam draw, and the Manchester United forward is in line for a role in the remaining fixtures against Serbia and beyond this window.
Sunderland expect to confirm the extent of Brobbey's injury after their own examinations in the coming days, with the club hopeful the international break has absorbed the worst of it.