Van Basten admits Seedorf was not in his original squad

Holland coach Marco van Basten dismissed suggestions he bowed to media pressure in ending Clarence Seedorf's international exile.

Van Basten left the AC Milan midfielder out of Holland's World Cup squad but is set to hand him a role against England.

The Holland coach said: "Clarence wasn't in the original squad because we thought other players could do better.

"But withdrawals have created a midfield vacancy and the media played absolutely no part in his recall."

Interview: Holland coach Marco van Basten

Seedorf won the last of his 77 international caps at Euro 2004 and Van Basten has never picked the 30-year-old since taking over as Holland coach, admitting Seedorf was way down the pecking order.

But withdrawals of Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie prompted Van Basten to bring Seedorf back into the international fold.

Van Basten said: "We're well blessed in technically skilful, attacking midfielders.

"But because of Wesley Sneijder's withdrawal, Seedorf gets a chance to prove himself against England."

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