Gold Coast United will be without Dutch star Paul Beekmans for their next couple of games.

The midfielder's been granted a period of personal leave to return to Holland after receiving news of a family illness.

The 30-year-old is flying back to his homeland today and is expected to be away for a fortnight, ruling him out of at least two of the side's upcoming A-League fixtures.

"Hopefully, everything will be okay and I plan to come back to Australia as soon as possible," Beekmans said.

United CEO Clive Mensink said the club had no hesitation in granting the leave, saying family must always come first: "Some things are much more important than football and obviously family is one of them".

"We were sad to hear Paul's news and the anxiety that can cause when you're on the other side of the world just adds to what is a stressful situation for him," Mensink added.

Cellar dwellers United meet Sydney FC at the SFS on January 22, before hosting ladder leaders Central Coast the week after.

It's hoped Beekmans is then home for the February 6 clash with Perth Glory.