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Prolific Melis misses Netherlands games

Netherlands striker Manon Melis has a broken jaw and is the big absentee from Vera Pauw's 21-strong squad to face Spain in the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ play-offs on 25 and 30 October.

Manon Melis will sit out the Netherlands' play-off against Spain
Manon Melis will sit out the Netherlands' play-off against Spain ©Leo Soeters

Broken jaw
Melis, the top scorer in the Swedish league, struck seven goals in qualifying including two in the vital 3-0 win against Belgium last month that effectively sealed second place in Group 4. However, she will not face Spain after suffering a broken jaw last week in action for her club, Ldb FC Malmö, against Göteborg FC. Uncapped forwards Tessa Oudejans and Shanice van de Sanden have come into the squad along with defender Daniëlle van de Donk. Pauw, whose side are at home in the second leg, said: "We have to avoid conceding a goal [in Spain], and have to try to score ourselves. We have to create a good position to be able to decide it in Volendam."

Goalkeepers: Loes Geurts (AZ Alkmaar), Angela Christ (FC Utrecht).

Defenders: Dyanne Bito (AZ Alkmaar), Daniëlle van de Donk (Willem II), Petra Hogewoning (FC Utrecht), Anouk Hoogendijk (FC Utrecht), Daphne Koster (AZ Alkmaar), Karin Legemate (ADO Den Haag), Manoe Meulen (Willem II).

Midfielders: Marije Brummel (SC Heerenveen), Annemieke Griffioen (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Sylvia Smit (SC Heerenveen), Sherida Spitse (SC Heerenveen), Jessica Torny (Willem II), Kirsten van de Ven (Willem II), Lianne de Vries (Amstelveen Heemraad).

Forwards: Claudia van den Heiligenberg (AZ Alkmaar), Tessa Oudejans (FC Utrecht), Chantal de Ridder (AZ Alkmaar), Shanice van de Sanden (FC Utrecht), Karin Stevens (Willem II).

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