Holland coach Marco van Basten has recalled Edgar Davids and George Boateng for the World Cup Group 1 qualifiers away against the Czech Republic on October 8 and at home to Macedonia four days later.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Davids replaces the suspended Philip Cocu.

Holland need a draw against the second placed Czech Republic to guarantee their qualification for next year’s finals in Germany.

“The absence of Cocu is one of the reasons I chose Davids,” Van Basten told a news conference on Friday.

“We also still watch (Mark) van Bommel but we believe that Davids’s match mentality is much better.”

“The match against the Czechs has two interesting aspects,” said Van Basten.

“We can assure our qualification for the World Cup, but we also can see how we do against such a strong opponent and that might be important if you want you play a big role next year in Germany.”

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Barry Opdam (AZ Alkmaar), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Khalid Boulahrouz (HSV Hamburg), Ron Vlaar (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Villarreal), Nigel de Jong (Ajax Amsterdam)

Midfielders: Olaf Lindenbergh (Ajax Amsterdam), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax Amsterdam), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax Amsterdam), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Rafael van der Vaart (HSV Hamburg), Edgar Davids (Tottenham Hotspur), George Boateng (Middlesbrough)

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Ajax Amsterdam), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Dirk Kuijt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)