Nigel de Jong, Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben were today recalled to the Netherlands squad for the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden. The Dutch, who have already qualified for next summer's finals in Poland and Ukraine, meet Moldova in Rotterdam on October 7 before facing Sweden in Stockholm four days later.

The return of De Jong, Van der Vaart and Robben will significantly strengthen a squad missing Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder due to a groin problem. Holland coach Bert van Marwijk told www.onsoranje.nl: "Wesley has a tear in his groin muscle and is very unhappy. He thinks the worst but it is not too bad. We hoped to be able to consider him for the Sweden game but the medical staff indicated it was not feasible."

Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay is a long-term injury victim having damaged knee ligaments while Everton defender John Heitinga will not be risked. "John has some irritation with his knee," added Van Marwijk. "The advice is two weeks' rest."

The Netherlands squad:

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea), Tim Krul (Newcastle); 

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Hoffenheim), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburg), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Erik Pieters (PSV Eindhoven), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax); 

Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Lisbon), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven); 

Forwards: Eljero Elia (Juventus), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (PSV Eindhoven), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).