Trio restored to Dutch reckoning

Hedwiges Maduro, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben have returned to the Netherlands squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia.

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The three players have been out of the picture in recent months. Huntelaar has not played for the national team since June, Maduro not since the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, while a knee injury has kept Robben out of the squad since his last appearance in March. Mario Melchiot, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder are included despite being suspended for the game against Group G leaders Romania in Constanta. The two countries are level on 20 points and are battling with Bulgaria, two points back but having played a game more, for the top two places. Henk Timmer provides extra cover for goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who is doubtful with a toe injury, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink misses out with a hamstring injury.

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

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Sevilla FC), Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), 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), 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), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid CF), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid CF).