Having been knocked out of Champions League contention by Ajax, Heerenveen now face a side they beat twice in the league during the regular season.

However, they are missing star striker Miralem Sulejmani, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since the 5-0 win over Excelsior on the last day of the season.

"NAC is a tough opponent but we always play good football against them and we get results," said Verbeek.

"Every time they have a lot of difficulty coping with our game. This season we won 3-0 and 5-1 but then Sulejmani was in good form and now he is absent."

Another player to miss out will be midfielder Michael Bradley, who is suspended. Jakob Poulsen is expected to deputise.

NAC go into the game having been thrashed by FC Twente in their Champions League play-off. They lost 8-1 on aggregate and also had Rogier Molhoek and Ron Stam dismissed in the first leg and Victor Sikora sent off in the return leg.

Manager Ernie Brandts said: "Luckily Ron Stam and Rogier Molhoek were suspended for only one game so they will play against Heerenveen.

"We really need them because they played all season in midfield and formed the basis of the team and its success."

Brandts warned his players they will have to be at their best on Thursday.

"We must be sharp as knives when we play there because they have a good team and caused us great problems during the season."

Sikora is suspended for the visitors while Edwin Zoetebier (shoulder), Gertjan Tamerus (Achilles) and Matthew Amoah (groin) are all sidelined.