Van Nistelrooy back for Dutch deciders

Ruud van Nistelrooy is back from suspension as the Netherlands seek two points from games against Luxembourg and Belarus to seal their place at UEFA EURO 2008™.

Luxembourg game
Van Nistelrooy returns following a match ban along with Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Joris Mathijsen, while Nigel de Jong, Dirk Kuyt, Mario Melchiot and Edwin van der Sar are back after injuries. Robin van Persie (knee) and Arjen Robben (hamstring) will miss out this time, with left-back Tim De Cler recalled to the 24-man squad. Coach Marco van Basten hopes three points at home against Luxembourg on 17 November will make their final game against Belarus in Minsk four days later an irrelevance, and said: "We believe that against the Luxembourg defenders we will have more chance with two central strikers."

Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AFC Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).

Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), Urby Emanuelson (AFC Ajax), John Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic FC), André Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers FC).

Midfielders: Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Orlando Engelaar (FC Twente), Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Hedwiges Maduro (AFC Ajax), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid CF), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool FC), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Danny Koevermans (PSV Eindhoven), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid CF).