AMSTERDAM (AP) -Mark van Bommel returned to the Netherlands squad Friday for the first time this season for friendlies against Italy and Paraguay.
Coach Bert van Marwijk included the Bayern Munich midfielder in his 23-player squad for the matches. Van Bommel missed the last four Netherlands internationals because of a broken toe.
The squad is strengthened by the return of Ibrahim Afellay, Nigel de Jong, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Gregory van der Wiel, who all missed last month's 0-0 draw with Australia in Sydney.
Van Marwijk also selected striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar of AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart despite the fact that they rarely play for their clubs.
The Netherlands plays Italy on Nov. 14 at Stadio Adriatico in Pescara and takes on Paraguay in the northern Dutch city of Heerenveen Nov. 18.
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Netherlands:
Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht), Piet Velthuizen (Vitesse Arnhem).
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax).
Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Edson Braafheid (Bayern Munich), Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax).
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Hamburger SV), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).
