Ryder Cup news:Nick Faldo will have Ireland's Paul McGinley and Spanish star Jose-Maria Olazabal as his two assistants at next year's Ryder Cup - as long as they do not qualify to play again.

The pair were on the side that gave Europe another record win over the Americans at The K Club last September and have both made it clear to Faldo their number one objective is to be part of the team going to Valhalla in Kentucky in September 2008.

But Europe's new captain is happy to proceed on that basis and will make a late change to his back-up team if it proves necessary towards the end of qualifying next August.

McGinley has been a member of the last three victorious sides, most famously sinking the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002.

Olazabal and compatriot Seve Ballesteros formed the most successful partnership in cup history - only two defeats in 15 games together - and was inspirational again at The K Club on his return to the team after a gap of seven years.

"They are two guys I have good chemistry with," said Faldo today at Wentworth, where the BMW PGA Championship, the European Tour's flagship event, begins tomorrow.

"One is based mainly in the United States (Olazabal) and one based mainly in Europe and to have two players of their character and playing stature is very important to me.

"I felt that was very important, for me to have good eyes and ears close to the ground, good feedback, and also for the players to know lines of communication were now open."

"Their number one goal is to make the team and I am in full support of that. If they do then fine and I will go back into the woods and come up with two more names.

"Olly has great passion and incredible determination. I don't know where he got that from, but it might have something to do with his partnership with Seve!

"I've already had a couple of chats with Paul and he came up with a very good point that the players look to people in this era rather than captains of the past. I've not been part of a Ryder Cup for the last 10 years."

Olazabal was invited to be an assistant captain by both Sam Torrance in 2002 and Bernhard Langer in 2004, but turned them down because he wanted to concentrate on trying to play his way into the side. In the event he failed both times.

At 26th in the world he is currently the seventh highest-ranked European, but on why he has accepted this time the 41-year-old who has long been tipped as a future captain replied: "I'm getting older. Obviously it's a great feeling, but he knows it is my intention to be part of the team as a player.

"It's nice to be named by Nick to help him in any area I can and we will just see how things develop."

McGinley's chances of being given the captaincy in the future have clearly improved as a result of his appointment and the 40-year-old commented: "What a great honour to be picked by Nick.

"We all know his great record and how much he thinks about the game. But the main thing is that I want to play in this one.

"I'm thrilled that I'll be involved one way or another.

"I did think about it and asked some people's advice as my fear was losing the focus on my own game.

"Once I got that right in my head I was more than delighted to go ahead."

Ian Woosnam was last year's captain and he had Sandy Lyle, Peter Baker and Des Smyth as his assistants. But Faldo and his opposite number Paul Azinger appear to have agreed on just two each.

On Azinger Faldo stated: "I know he shares the passion, which is great. I believe he has already had a meeting with past captains, he has a good association with the players and he will definitely command respect and inspire them.

"But I have a simple goal - I want my team to win and I will concentrate on that. Momentum is a very important part of the Ryder Cup and we have been able to ride that wave.

"Yes, we will go as favourites and that's one of the things the team will have to deal with, but we start again from scratch. I want the team basically to come down to earth (after two huge nine-point wins) - it's a very important Ryder Cup for them, the Tour and the record books."

The event is due to run from September 16th-21st, 2008.