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Matt Miazga might get his first start for Vitesse on Saturday, October 15

An injury to a key starter has created a vacancy in the Vitesse starting lineup that Miazga might be asked to fill.

Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Matt Miazga's Eredivisie debut was in relief of Maikel van der Werff during Vitesse's 2-1 loss to Twente on September 25. (You may recall it was the game in which Miazga recorded his first assist in Eredivisie.)

The international break has not been kind to van der Werff: Vitesse's website reports the defender has suffered a knee injury requiring surgery; he is expected to be out of action for six weeks. Nu Sports notes van der Werff's absence will likely see him miss Vitesse's next six league games and a cup match.

And van der Werff's injury creates an opportunity for Matt Miazga.

The Chelsea loanee has made the last four match-day squads in Vitesse's Eredivisie campaign, and he has appeared off the bench in the last two. Miazga is not the only option to plug the hole in the center of the Vitesse defense, but his name is mentioned as a possible (even likely) stand-in starter by several Dutch outlets, including De TelegraafDe Gelderlander, and Voetbal International.

Regular starting left back Arnold Kruiswijk is also considered an option to step in for van der Werff.

USA Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann recently stated that he is waiting for Miazga to break into the starting lineup at his new club before contemplating another call-up for the 21-year-old.

The former New York Red Bulls center back might get the chance to impress his national team head coach a little earlier than either he or Klinsi expected.

Vitesse next plays on October 15, on the road against AZ.