Road to Recovery

Both Denmark and the Netherlands will be missing key players when the two nations square off Monday at the World Cup in a crucial Group E game (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 am ET).

Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner was already doubtful for the Danes with a groin problem, but now news has emerged that veteran striker Jon Dahl Tomasson and midfielder Daniel

Jensen could also be sitting out the match due to minor injuries.

Jensen is a useful player, but his absence can be overcome because the Danes have a great deal of midfield depth.

But the loss of Bendtner, the team's best attacking player, and Tomasson, a national team veteran, are big losses for Denmark.

Without them, coach Morten Olsen is now short of quality and proven forwards. Obviously, he has to reshuffle his starting line-up, but the question is will he take the ultimate gamble and start Christian Eriksen up front?

The 18-year-old playmaker is one of Denmark's prospects, but he has limited international experience, with only three caps to his credit.

As for the Dutch, they will be without influential winger Arjen Robben.

The Bayern Munich star has been ruled out of the game as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Coach Bert van Marwijk said Robben could play, but he doesn't want to risk it, and decided to let him rest a little bit more, so that he will be fully healthy for team's second match of the tournament.

While Robben is one of the Netherlands' best players, the Dutch to have a great deal of depth on the wings, as both Robin van Persie and Eljero Elia can play on the flanks.