John van 't Schip is forced to make some changes to Ajax's line-up for the match against SC Heerenveen. Both captain Steven Bergwijn and Devyne Rensch are not present in the Abe Lenstra Stadium. Carlos Forbs and Borna Sosa are expected to replace the two.

Bergwijn suffered a hamstring injury during training this week. “How long we will miss him depends a bit on how his recovery goes,” Van 't Schip said on the club website on Friday. “I think we will miss him at least in February and also part of March.”

Just like Bergwijn, the match also comes too early for Rensch. The defender had to be replaced by Sosa early on against PSV. “Devyne is making good progress, but will not be there on Sunday yet. We have to see to what extent he can make it on Thursday or the following weekend. It's a matter of taking it day by day, but he's closer to playing than we initially expected.”

The expectation is that no changes will be made to the midfield. Jordan Henderson made his debut against PSV and played a solid game. Benjamin Tahirovic, who has gotten into better shape in recent weeks, will once again have to make do with a reserve role. Kenneth Taylor and number 10 Kristian Hlynsson complete the middle line.

Sivert Mannsverk made his return to Jong Ajax at the beginning of this week after almost five months of injuries. “Of course very important for him. When you are new and you get injured right away, it is always difficult. He has played his first thirty minutes, the first steps have been made. Hopefully he will make more minutes there until he is ready to make his return to the first team if necessary.”

“Heerenveen has been inconsistent in the last period. Even though the score was 4-1, it was just a difficult match here. Heerenveen away is always difficult anyway. We have to prepare well and try to leave with three points.” , said Van 't Schip, who announced that second captain Steven Berghuis will wear the band in the Abe Lenstra Stadium.

Heerenveen

On the Heerenveen side, trainer Kees van Wonderen still has to make do without Ion Nicolaescu. The Moldovan striker is being treated for an abdominal muscle injury in Madrid. “It looked like he was going to go back on the field there, but they postponed that for a while. “It's going in the right direction, but it's going to take a while,” Van Wonderen said Omrop Friesland. Daniel Karlsbakk is back against Ajax, meaning Amir Ismaïl is left out of the selection.

Presumed Ajax line-up: Ramaj; Gooijer, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Henderson, Hlynsson, Taylor; Berghuis, Brobbey, Forbs.

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