Injury rules Babel out of Euros

Netherlands winger Ryan Babel will play no part in the Euro 2008 championship after he tore ankle ligaments in training on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Liverpool star had been expected to play some part of the team's final warm-up match against Wales in Rotterdam on Sunday.

And he was set to be a key part of Marco van Basten's squad for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Van Basten has called up defender Khalid Boulahrouz as a replacement.

The Netherlands are in Group C along with France, Italy and Romania for Euro 2008, which kicks off on 7 June.

Van Basten also has a concern over the fitness of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, who has been on the sidelines since joining the squad last week.

However, Van Persie is optimistic about making his side's opener against world champions Italy on 9 June.

"I am in the final phase of my recovery. I feel fit," Van Persie told NOS network.

(taken from : here)