Soccer / Football : Netherlands : First Division 2009/2010

Groningen defender Theo Lucius faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he broke his leg. Lucius picked up the injury after a duel with midfielder Leandro Bacuna during Thursday's training session and was immediately stretchered off the pitch and transported to hospital. It is not yet known for how long the 33-year-old will be unavailable.

PSV Eindhoven have signed midfielder Andy van der Meyde until the end of the season. The former Ajax and Inter player, 30, arrives on a free transfer as Serbia striker Danko Lazovic leaves the Dutch league leaders to join Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg for an undisclosed fee, agreeing a four-year deal ahead of the new Russian season. Van der Meyde has been without a club since his release by Everton last year.

PSV have received some disturbing news in the aftermath of their 3-2 Europa League win against Hamburger SV on Thursday. Bulgarian full-back Stanislav Manolev sustained an injury and was forced to leave the pitch after 26 minutes of play due to the knock. "It looks like Stanislav has torn his hamstring. He'll probably be sidelined for about four weeks due to the injury," said coach Fred Rutten. Manolev will undergo further examination to clarify the seriousness of his injury.

Willem II have have fired coach Alfons Groenendijk following the team's poor performances this season. The 45-year-old Groenendijk was appointed Willem II coach halfway through last season and guided the Tricolores to 12th spot in the table at the end of the season. The former defender Mark Schenning will take charge on a caretaker basis until a replacement is found

NAC Breda will be without Brazilian attacker Leonardo for two months due to a groin injury. The 26-year-old sustained the injury on February 5 and was initially expected to be out of action for only two weeks. However, an MRI scan has now indicated that the injury is more serious than initially expected.

Ajax will probably be without full-back Thimothee Atouba for the rest of the season. The Cameroonian defender picked up a knee injury during a training session back in November 2009 and has since been struggling to return to full match fitness. Atouba has now endured a setback in his recovery and will be sidelined for several more months.

Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld, 20, could be ready for the game against Heerenveen. The Belgian international picked up a hamstring injury in the 1-1 Eredivisie draw against Feyenoord two weeks ago and was initially expected to be unavailable for at least three weeks. However, Alderweireld's rehabilitation process is going better than expected and he has already resumed regular training.

Ajax will probably have to make do without holding midfielder Eyong Enoh for a while after the Cameroonian international picked up a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old sustained the injury in the first half of Wednesday's game against Roda. According to reports, Enoh will be sidelined for about two weeks.