Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel (photo) and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy have rejected call-ups to play for the national Dutch football squad in the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Albania.

Van Bommel (29) told the Dutch football association that he missed expertise in the technical staff and did not want to play again for the Netherlands under coach Marco van Basten. Van Nistelrooy (30) turned down a chance to replace the injured Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who hurt his ankle during training on Friday and is expected to be out of action for two weeks. Last week Van Nistelrooy, who was left out of the original line-up, accused Van Basten of picking his squad on personality rather than ability. Both Van Bommel and Van Nistelrooy played for Oranje in the World Cup. Bulgaria is one of the strongest opponents Holland faces in the qualifiers and the refusal of Van Bommel and Van Nistelrooy have hit preparations for Wednesday’s duel, the Volkskrant reports this morning.