Justin Bijlow makes his return to Feyenoord after six months of injury. The 27-year-old goalkeeper has a starting place in the exhibition game against Belgian champion Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday at De Kuip.
Coach Robin van Persie announced last month that Bijlow will be Feyenoord’s first keeper next season. The Rotterdammer is preferred over Timon Wellenreuther, who is on the bench against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Bijlow was actually supposed to make his return a week ago in the exhibition game against SC Cambuur, but he wasn’t completely fit then. With first Wellenreuther and then Liam Bossin in goal, Feyenoord won 1-4 in Leeuwarden.
Bijlow’s last game was the Champions League duel with Lille OSC on January 29. The eight-time Oranje international injured his knee against the French club, after having frequently struggled with physical problems in his career.
Igor Paixão is not present against Union Saint-Gilloise. The Brazilian is struggling with an injury, which he sustained on Thursday in training. Van Persie expects clarity about the severity of the injury at the beginning of next month.
Feyenoord-Union Saint-Gilloise starts at 2:00 PM in De Kuip.