Holland coach Bert van Marwijk admits he tried to convince Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to come out of international retirement.

"Against my better judgment I called Edwin because of our present difficulties," Van Marwijk told The Herald.

"We had agreed the book was closed before we had these injuries and while I knew what the answer would be, I still called him.

"All our other keepers have a story to tell, sickness, injury or poor form but I will stick by Stekelenburg.

"He has the most potential of all of them and is the best available.

"He is not playing for Ajax, and that is a disadvantage, but this gives him a chance to prove that he can come back stronger."