Golf:Europe's Ryder Cup team could contain as many as six rookies this year, according to British Open champion Padraig Harrington.

"Some of the household names, some of the more experienced players, are maybe just drifting out of a bit of form and there are new guys coming in," Harrington told Sky Sports television.

"We really are seeing a new breed of young European pros and that means the team is going to change and I think (captain) Nick (Faldo) is possibly going to have a team that is half and half, six new rookies and six more established players."

Among the rookies Harrington will have in mind are 2007 European number one Justin Rose and Germany's Martin Kaymer, who followed his win in Abu Dhabi last month by finishing one shot behind Dubai Desert Classic winner Tiger Woods on Sunday.

Teenager Rory McIlroy, who has produced several excellent displays since turning professional last year, and fellow Briton Nick Dougherty also have ambitions of playing against the United States in Valhalla, Kentucky in September.

Harrington said the European team, who have won the last three editions of the biennial contest, had always been good at blending the young with the old.

"Europe's strength has been the ability of the experienced players to get the most out of the rookies," said the 36-year-old Dubliner who has featured in four Ryder Cups.

"Sometimes the combination is better than the individuals and the combination adds a spark. There is nothing better than an experienced guy bringing a rookie along because the rookie tends to play above himself if he has got the right partner."

Captain Paul Azinger has doubled the amount of U.S. wildcard picks from two to four but Harrington said Europe had no need to change their selection system.

"You should have the best players out there on the team and the guys who qualify, whether they are rookies or not, are the best players," he said.

"I think our system (of two wildcards and 10 automatic selections) is very strong. It gives a fair chance to everybody."