The pre-selection for the Dutch national football team for the World Cup in South Africa was announced on Tuesday evening, without star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

‘I would say Van Nistelrooy is fit but his long-running knee injury is not giving him enough time to reach his old level,’ coach Bert Van Marwijk said on the Dutch football association website, adding that he had discussed the issue with Van Nistelrooy by phone.
Van Nistelrooy told Nos tv later he felt it was the end of his career as an international. ‘I think I have added value and I am available but now I am not going to the World Cup, I think my career as an international is over,’ the HSV striker said.
Seven of the 30-strong squad announced on Tuesday will still be eliminated.
Goal: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht) and Sander Boschker (FC Twente)
Defence: Edson Braafheid (Celtic), John Heitinga (Everton), André Ooijer (PSV), Joris Mathijsen (HSV), Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart)
Midfield: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Otman Bakkal (PSV), Mark van Bommel (Bayern München), Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Wout Brama (FC Twente), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), David Mendes da Silva (AZ)
Attack: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Jeremain Lens (AZ), Eljero Elia (HSV), Arjen Robben (Bayern München), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool),