Dutch striker Kuyt has serious ankle injury, says coach

Netherlands striker Dirk Kuyt was taken to hospital on Tuesday with a serious ankle injury sustained during their Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden.

The Liverpool forward had to come off just before the half-hour mark in the Group E match when he landed awkwardly after jumping for a ball with Sweden`s Daniel Majstorovic. "Dirk wanted to play on but our doctor prevented that and told me to substitute him," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk told a news conference after his side`s 4-1 win.

"He is now in a hospital but following the doctor`s first opinion it could be very serious and keep him sidelined for a long time."

The unlucky Kuyt had to pull out of the squad preparing for Euro 2012 qualifying matches in September after injuring his shoulder during a training session with the national team.