© EuroFootball.com
As Dutch national team coach Marco van Basten announced on Friday, Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to the national team after the break.
R. van Nistelrooy was dropped from the team after the World Cup final stage in Germany and later rejected a call-up when asked to replace the injured Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in October.
"I called Ruud in October and visited him in January, both times I felt that we can still work together," said M. van Basten.
"I called him now because he is in great form at Real Madrid, and he was surprised by my call," explained the coach.
"We are pleased that he will be useful again, as it will increase competition in the team, which we need," shared M. van Basten his thoughts aloud.
R. van Nistelrooy is not included among the national team players representing the team in friendly matches against Thailand and South Korea next month, but he will return for the qualifying matches for the European Championship against Bulgaria and Albania in September.
