Netherlands will be without Jan Paul van Hecke for the remainder of the international break after the defender was forced to return to Tottenham Hotspur due to injury.
Netherlands returned to action for the first time since their World Cup round of 32 elimination when locking horns with Germany in the Nations League on Thursday, a fixture that also marked Xavi's first game in charge.
A main topic of discussion following the Spaniard's appointment was whether Virgil van Dijk would continue to represent the national team -- with prior reports suggesting that the 35-year-old could retire from international football -- but the captain has opted to stay on.
He has been partnered by Spurs' Van Hecke in both of Netherlands' first two 2026/27 Nations League fixtures, but Xavi will have to look elsewhere in forthcoming contests against Greece and Germany after the former Brighton man sustained an injury in their 2-1 victory over Serbia.
Speaking ahead of the Netherlands' trip to Greece, Xavi said: “During the match against Serbia, someone stepped on him.
“He didn’t realise it during the match, but afterwards it was impossible for him to play.
“He really wanted to try, but he was in a lot of pain. That is why we decided to take him off the list.
“He tried to participate in recovery training [on Tuesday]. He tried again today [on Wednesday], but he couldn’t touch the ball.”
It's a major blow for Xavi, who will not be able to call upon the defender for the rest of the international break, but it remains to be seen as to how this will impact his Tottenham involvement upon the return of club football.
Van Hecke has been a mainstay in Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs XI since joining the club from from Brighton for £52m in the summer, starting all five Premier League games and starring in back-to-back clean sheets against Nottingham Forest and Everton.
Tottenham make the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in their first fixture back after the international break on Saturday 10th October, and De Zerbi will be desperate to have the Dutchman present as they seek their first win of the league campaign.
Should Van Hecke fail in his bid to return to fitness, Marcos Senesi and Micky van de Ven are likely to form a partnership in defence.
