Van Basten loses patience with Van Nistelrooy

Dutch coach Marco van Basten said yesterday he will no longer consider picking Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Real Madrid striker had basically "resigned" from the national squad.

Van Basten, who was naming a 20-man squad for next week's friendly against Russia in Amsterdam, said he had no intention of picking the player again.

"Ruud more or less resigned from the job and that closes the case for me," Van Basten told reporters.

Last week van Nistelrooy said he no longer wished to be considered for the squad because he had no confidence in van Basten. He has played 54 times for the Netherlands, scoring 28 goals.

His absence, combined with the absence of the injured Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben has reduced van Basten's attacking opportunities.

Van Basten kept Klaas Jan Huntelaar in his squad despite his struggling form.

Wilfred Bouma was recalled to the squad in central defence in place of Andre Ooijer who is out with a broken leg.