The PSV left-back has revealed that the doctor treating his foot injury told him on Monday that he has 'no chance' of being fit for the tournament, which gets under way next month
Netherlands have been rocked by the news that Erik Pieters will miss Euro 2012 - just hours after the defender was included in Bert van Marwijk's provisional 36-man squad for Poland and Ukraine.The PSV full-back has been struggling with a foot injury and was informed by ankle specialist Dr. Nie van Dijk on Monday that he will not be able to travel.
"Just back from the hospital," Pieters wrote on Twitter. "Bad news from Dr. Van Dijk. No chance for Euro 2012. Thanks for your support."
Van Marwijk swiftly moved to replace Pieters in his provisional panel with Vitesse's Alexander Buttner but conceded that the loss of his first-choice full-back was devastating for both player and country.
"This is a blow for us," the Dutch boss told the KNVB's official website. "But it's obviously even more disappointing for Erik."
Pieters' withdrawal has overshadowed Van Marwijk's earlier decision to call upon the services of Feyenoord goalkeeper Erwin Mulder, AZ's Nick Viergever, Feyenoord's Stefan de Vrij and PSV's Jetro Willems for the first time, as well as the uncapped Jasper Cillessen, Adam Maher, Ola John and Luciano Narsingh.
Star players such as Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have also been included in Van Marwijk's provisional panel.
Additionally, the Netherlands boss has included Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay in his roster for the first time since his comeback from a lengthy injury lay-off.
Van Marwijk will trim his squad down to 27 players after a two-day training camp in Hoenderloo on May 14 and 15, before announcing his final selection on May 29.
Netherlands have scheduled friendly games against Bayern Munich, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Northern Ireland in the next four weeks.
Oranje will travel to their base at the Sheraton Hotel in Krakow on June 4.
The Dutch start Euro 2012 with the group match against Denmark on June 9, before taking on Germany and Portugal.
| Name | Club |
| Goalkeepers: | |
| Jasper Cillessen | Ajax |
| Tim Krul | Newcastle |
| Erwin Mulder | Feyenoord |
| Maarten Stekelenburg | Roma |
| Michel Vorm | Swansea |
| Defenders: | |
| Vurnon Anita | Ajax |
| Khalid Boulahrouz | Stuttgart |
| Wilfred Bouma | PSV |
| Alexander Buttner | Vitesse |
| Urby Emanuelson | AC Milan |
| John Heitinga | Everton |
| Joris Mathijsen | Malaga |
| Gregory van der Wiel | Ajax |
| Nick Viergever | AZ |
| Ron Vlaar | Feyenoord |
| Stefan de Vrij | Feyenoord |
| Jetro Willems | PSV |
| Midfielders: | |
| Ibrahim Afellay | Barcelona |
| Mark van Bommel | AC Milan |
| Nigel de Jong | Man City |
| Adam Maher | AZ |
| Hedwiges Maduro | Valencia |
| Stijn Schaars | Sporting |
| Wesley Sneijder | Inter |
| Kevin Strootman | PSV |
| Rafael van der Vaart | Tottenham |
| Georginio Wijnaldum | PSV |
| Attackers: | |
| Klaas Jan Huntelaar | Schalke |
| Siem de Jong | Ajax |
| Luuk de Jong | Twente |
| Ola John | Twente |
| Dirk Kuyt | Liverpool |
| Jeremain Lens | PSV |
| Luciano Narsingh | Heerenveen |
| Robin van Persie | Arsenal |
| Arjen Robben | Bayern |
