Khalid Boulahrouz’s selection hokey cokey with Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has ended with the defender firmly on the front foot and stepping back into the squad for UEFA EURO 2008™.

Ins and outs
The versatile 26-year-old has returned to the national-team fold as a replacement for the injured Ryan Babel, only four days after being cut from the squad at the last minute. Boulahrouz was released as Van Basten dropped one last man in order to nominate his 23-player squad on Tuesday. He had only been accommodated within the coach’s 30-man preliminary party because of fitness concerns surrounding fellow defenders André Ooijer and Mario Melchiot.

Total recall
With Melchiot convincing the Oranje training staff of his fitness, Boulahrouz fell at the last hurdle earlier in the week, only to be reprieved today after forward Babel damaged ankle ligaments in training. The Chelsea FC centre-back or full-back, who spent the season on loan with Sevilla FC, has 22 caps – the last of which he won against Ukraine last week. "He made a good impression," Van Basten said.

Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has settled on his final 23 players for UEFA EURO 2008™ with Khalid Boulahrouz the last player to be omitted from the 30-man provisional squad.

Disrupted season
The 26-year-old Sevilla FC defender was called up last week due to fitness concerns surrounding fellow defenders André Ooijer and Mario Melchiot, having been initially left out of the provisional party. Boulahrouz impressed in the Oranje’s 3-0 win against the Ukraine on Saturday – his first appearance since November due to a groin injury –  but Melchiot’s 31 appearances in the English Premier League for Wigan Atheltic FC this season were the "important factor" in Van Basten’s decision.

Omitted players
On Sunday, Van Basten dropped goalkeeper Sander Boschker and midfielder Denny Landzaat from his squad, while Urby Emanuelson, Kew Jaliens, Hedwiges Maduro and Danny Koevermans were left out two weeks ago.

Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AFC Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).

Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord),  Johnny Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic FC), André Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers FC).

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Orlando Engelaar (FC Twente), Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid CF), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool FC), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid CF), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid CF), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic FC).

Sevilla FC defender Khalid Boulahrouz has been drafted into the provisional Netherlands squad for UEFA EURO 2008™, with four other players failing to make the cut after Marco van Basten trimmed his party.

Unlucky quartet
AFC Ajax defender Urby Emanuelson, Kew Jaliens of AZ Alkmaar, Valencia CF’s Hedwiges Maduro and PSV Eindhoven striker Danny Koevermans have all been sent home as Van Basten coordinates the team’s final preparations, which kick off in Noordwijk on Tuesday. The quartet had originally been named as part of a 30-man squad, which was reduced to 29 this week following Clarence Seedorf’s withdrawal.

Fitness concerns
The versatile former Chelsea FC defender Boulahrouz was not included in this provisional list but will team up with his colleagues on Tuesday. Once there, he will be required to prove his physical condition to Van Basten over the first five days of training, given that he has recently been declared fit again after months of injury trouble.

Rest periods
Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink will report for duty on 23 May due to club commitments with Real Madrid CF and Celtic FC. In a similar vein, Wesley Sneijder and Edwin van der Sar will not arrive until 26 May, on account of their heavy workloads with Madrid and Manchester United FC respectively.

Friendly schedule
The definitive list of 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers will be presented to UEFA before the deadline on 28 May. The Netherlands have lined up friendlies at home against Ukraine on 24 May, Denmark five days later and Wales on 1 June before beginning the their Group C campaign against Italy in Berne on 9 June.