SPURS SWEAT ON INJURED VAN DER VAART

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART is out of Holland’s side to play England at Wembley tomorrow and may struggle to face Manchester United for Tottenham on Sunday. The forward injured his ankle after coming on as a half-time substitute in Spurs’ 5-2 drubbing at Arsenal. Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm has also withdrawn from Bert van Marwijk’s squad. Meanwhile, Everton’s Dutch midfielder John Heitinga has warned England the only way they will flourish at major tournaments is by becoming a united squad. The 28-year-old Everton defender, who will figure prominently for the World Cup finalists in tomorrow’s friendly at Wembley, has taken note as England’s hopes of prospering at Euro 2012 appear to have been compromised by numerous squabbles from boardroom to dressing room. There have been several shameful episodes, both at World Cups and European Championships, when Holland threw their chances away by fighting among themselves. Holland’s campaign in South Africa two years ago, however, was free of controversy and that led to them attaining their best performance at a tournament since the team captained by Ruud Gullit were crowned European champions in 1988. Heitinga believes it is an example from which England can learn. ‘The main thing for us in South Africa was that we were a team. You need everyone working together if you’re going to reach your goal,’ said Heitinga, who has been capped 72 times. On whether England would stand a better chance if the onus was put on youth, Heitinga warned against a radical change, adding: ‘Maybe wait until after the Euros.’