Save Ruud van Nistelrooy

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Edgar Davids has been left of Holland's 28-man pre-World Cup squad by coach Marco van Basten.
Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma is also not in Van Basten's squad.

The Dutch coach has not said whether or not omitted players could be included in his final 23-man squad, which must be named by Fifa's 15 May deadline.

He had previously named a 33-man group but has added Ajax's Johnny Heitinga while demoting six players.

As well as Davids and Bouma, goalkeeper Patrick Lodeqijks, defenders Urby Emanuelson and Ron Vlaar and forward Martijn Meerdink have failed to make the grade.

Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay and AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf were notable absentees from Van Basten's first squad.

Holland 28-man pre-World Cup squad:

Keepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Hamburg SV), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax), Barry Opdam (AZ Alkmaar)

Midfielders: George Boateng (Middlesbrough), Mark van Bommel (Barcelona), Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Hamburg SV), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV)

Strikers: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Romeo Castelen (Feyenoord), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven).

# posted by Andy S. Murray (Netarcher) @ 11:51:00 am