Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman is to give Brian Brobbey a chance to prove his worth in Tuesday’s Nations League showdown against Germany.

The 22-year-old Ajax forward is expected to be named in the starting line-up in Amsterdam in place of Joshua Zirkzee, who scored on his international debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday.

Koeman said he wanted to give both strikers an opportunity to play a competitive game as he looks for a long-term replacement for the 30-year-old Memphis Depay.

“There are changes in the group and in that position, but Brobbey could just as well have played against Bosnia,” Koeman said.

“I expect we will get space against Germany when we gain possession and I think Brobbey is slightly better in that situation than Zirkzee.”

The coach also defended his decision to retain Matthijs de Ligt in a four-man defence after the Manchester United player was perceived to be at fault for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second goal at the weekend.

“It was a bad moment individually for a defender,” Koeman said. “But we shouldn’t be dramatic and put too much emphasis on it. He had a lot of good moments, including on the ball.”

Koeman hinted at a starting place in midfield for Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber, who came on as a substitute at the weekend. “He adds something with his aggression and movement,” the coach said. “That’s something midfielders need in modern football. But I thought the other three midfielders on Saturday had that too.”

Germany opened their Nations League campaign with a strong display, beating Hungary 5-0 in Düsseldorf with a revamped line-up following the retirement of several senior players including Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.