Yilmaz will almost certainly have to let Fortuna Sittard-Ajax pass him by | NOW

Burak Yilmaz is very likely not yet available at Fortuna Sittard on Saturday, when the club starts the Eredivisie season with a home match against Ajax. The Turkish top striker does not feel fit enough yet.

“I don’t think I’m in the competition selection yet. I’m not ready for it yet, if I’m honest,” said 37-year-old Yilmaz in an interview with ESPN.

The 77-time international did participate in a practice match with VVV-Venlo on Saturday during the Fortuna Sittard fan day. “I have trained three or four times with the team. There are still a few days to go, but I want to be fit at the kick-off,” he says.

“In the exhibition game I only came on the field out of respect for the supporters who had traveled. I don’t think I will appear fully fit in a game.”

On June 21, Fortuna Sittard very surprisingly announced that Yilmaz had been caught. The top striker signed a contract for five seasons, two of which as a player. Last year he had a large share in the French league title of Lille OSC with sixteen goals.

Fortuna Sittard-Ajax starts on Saturday at 4.30 pm. Yilmaz may be fit for the second Eredivisie round, in which his club will face FC Twente next Sunday in Enschede.