Arjen Robben has a chance of making Group E’s opening match with Denmark on Monday according to the 76-year-old shaman of a Dutch physio that is Dick van Toorn. Stop sniggering at the back.

The flying Dutchman suffered a small tear in his hamstring with just minutes remaining in the 6-1 win over Hungary on Saturday and there were initial fears that his tournament was in doubt. However, Robben was kept behind as the rest of the squad flew out to South Africa to undergo a scan which later revealed just minor damage. An intensive programme of physiotherapy is ahead of the Bayern man; that started today and already Robben is feeling the benefits and seems confident that he will make a return sooner rather than later…

‘It is impossible to say whether that a return will only be about four days or a week away..It was tedious exercises. But we will do everything to get fit. I’m very hopeful. Now we will see how fast we can make progress. In 2008, Van Toorn me got me back to action very quickly.”

Clearly then Robben is putting great stock in Van Toorn’s skills. You can read more on his mystical powers here; there’s no mention of a placenta.

The crux of the matter is that, despite what you may have read in my earlier Group E preview, Robben could even be back in action in time for Monday’s game with Denmark if Van Toorn himself is to be believed…

”With some luck, I think it should be possible.”

A mircale indeed and one that would clearly put Robben back on our Fantasy shopping lists. Selecting him for the initial squad for Friday’s deadline would be a risk but he would certainly be a strong candidate for a first transfer following the opening round of games or for the knockout stages.