No Ruud in Dutch squad to play Irish

COACH Marco van Basten claimed his decision to omit Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark van Bommel from the Holland squad to face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly next Wednesday in Dublin was because he had more trust in other players.

Neither Primera Liga-based star has made the cut as the coach looks to the future, but he did not rule out a return for either of the former PSV Eindhoven players.

“At the moment we think other players are better,” he said.

“We want to go on with the selected group because we have more trust in those players.”

Both Van Nistelrooy and Van Bommel would appear to be paying the price for poor World Cups. Barcelona midfielder Van Bommel and striker Van Nistelrooy, who moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United this summer, failed to shine in Germany as Holland crashed out in the second round to Portugal.

Van Nistelrooy was left on the bench for that match after severe criticism from Van Basten.

Significantly, young Ajax sharpshooter Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who is uncapped but whose omission from the World Cup squad still caused a stir, is named in the party and could make his bow for the Oranje.

Meanwhile, Van Basten is hopeful Andre Ooijer can shake off a cold to line-up in Dublin.

“We are selecting players on their football qualities so I hope that he can play.”

Defenders Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, sent off in the stormy defeat by Portugal, were not named in the squad as they are suspended for the opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Luxembourg next month.

Holland squad: H Timmer, E van der Sar, U Emanuelson, J Heitinga, T de Cler, K Jaliens, J Mathijsen, A Ooijer, W Sneijder, Stijn Schaars, N de Jong, R van der Vaart, DLandzaat, K Huntelaar, R van Persie , A Robben , D Kuyt, J Vennegoor of Hesselink.