Van der Vaart stunner

Tuesday, 13/09/2011

Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is stunned after being left out of Tottenham's Europa League squad.

The Dutchman was expected to miss six weeks with a hamstring injury - but at the end of last week said he was almost fit.

Van der Vaart could have made Thursday's European opener at PAOK Salonika and is expected to be available for Sunday's game against Liverpool.

But boss Harry Redknapp has not included him in Spurs' 24-man squad for the Europa League which means the player will not be able to play any of the six group games.

The manager has already said that he plans to use some of the club's youngsters in European games and concentrate on qualifying for the Champions League through a Premier League placing.

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