Netherlands boss Xavi Hernandez has shed light on what injury Jan Paul van Hecke suffered after the Tottenham star withdrew from international duty.Van Hecke has had a mixed international break, with the Tottenham star being criticised for his performance against Germany but responding with a solid display against Serbia.The centre-back was rated one of the best players on the pitch in the Netherlands’ win over Serbia, but that performance came at a cost.It emerged on Wednesday that Van Hecke had picked up an injury in Sunday’s game and subsequently left the Dutch camp to return to North London for his rehabilitation.Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP via Getty ImagesXavi hints Tottenham star Jan Paul van Hecke may have a broken toeXavi Hernandez has now admitted that the 26-year-old had his foot stomped on by a Serbian player during his side’s 2-1 win in Belgrade.The Netherlands boss revealed that the Tottenham Hotspur centre-back tried to train on Tuesday and Wednesday, but was unable to touch the ball.The Spaniard told NOS (as relayed by Voetbal Primeur): “During the match against Serbia, someone stepped on him. He didn’t realise it [someone stepping on his toe] during the match, but afterwards it was impossible for him to play.“During the match against Serbia, someone stepped on him. He didn’t realise it [someone stepping on his toe] during the match, but afterwards it was impossible for him to play.“He really wanted to try, but he was in a lot of pain. That is why we decided to take him off the list. He tried to participate in recovery training yesterday (Tuesday). He tried again today, but he couldn’t touch the ball.”Some Spurs fans may be relieved with Van Hecke updateMany Spurs fans feared the worst after hearing about Van Hecke’s injury, and they may be relieved to hear that it is just a toe injury.Injured playerInjuryPotential ReturnWilson OdobertKneeNovember 2026Xavi SimonsKnee2027Mykhailo MudrykAnkleNovember 2026Dejan KulusevskiFitnessSoonPedro PorroHamstringOctober 2026Jan Paul van HeckeFootUnknownHowever, from Xavi’s words, it sounds like the Tottenham defender may have fractured a toe during the incident. If that is the case, it appears unlikely that he will be fit to face Man United in a week and a half.De Zerbi may thus likely have to hand Tosin Adararibayo his first Premier League start for Spurs at Old Trafford, unless he decides to start with two left-footed centre-backs.READ MORE: Tottenham fans will love Xavi Simons’ latest injury update on social mediaThe post Xavi Hernandez reveals why injured Jan Paul van Hecke had to return to Tottenham appeared first on Spurs Web.