Ruud van Nistelrooy's international career appears to be at an end after the Real Madrid striker was dropped from the Holland squad to face Republic of Ireland in Dublin next Wednesday.
There had been doubt about van Nistelrooy's willingness to play under coach Marco van Basten in the wake of the World Cup after the striker was forced to watch Holland's exit from the substitutes bench.
However, van Basten had included the 29-year-old in his initial 31-man selection earlier this month, a decision that he has now reversed having trimmed his squad to 18 this morning.
The Dutch will instead rely on Liverpool target Dirk Kuyt, Arsenal's Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of Ajax to provide the firepower at Lansdowne Road.
The omission of van Nistelrooy, who Madrid paid £10 million for last month, will provide the main talking point ahead of the friendly. Barcelona pair Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Mark van Bommel also miss out as van Basten looks to the future with a number of new faces.
"We are now preparing for qualification for the European Championships in two years and we had to make choices," Van Basten told a news conference. "In our opinion we picked the best squad and they will have our confidence for the coming period."
Van Nistelrooy won the last of his 54 caps in the 0-0 draw with Argentina in their final group match at the World Cup finals in June. He was left on the bench throughout the second round defeat by Portugal.
Defenders Khalid Boulahrouz and van Bronckhorst, sent off in the stormy defeat by Portugal, were not named in he squad as they are suspended for the opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Luxembourg next month.
Van Basten was delighted captain Edwin van der Sar, undisputed first choice since 1995, had decided to continue his international career and add to his 113 caps.
"We asked Edwin after the World Cup about his future and told him we wished him to continue," added Van Basten "We are pleased with his decision because he impresses as man, captain and player."
Holland Squad
Goalkeepers: Henk Timmer (Feyenoord), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)
Defenders: Urby Emanuelson (Ajax Amsterdam), John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven)
Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Ajax Amsterdam), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Nigel de Jong (SV Hamburg), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV), Denny Landzaat (Wigan Athletic)
Forwards: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax Amsterdam), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea) , Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)
