Van Nistelrooy apologised for his outburst against Advocaat

Van Nistelrooy reacted angrily after being substituted in Holland's 3-1 defeat against the Czech Republic in the group stages, and was left out of Holland's final qualifier against Moldova.

Advocaat has recalled the Manchester United striker - along with Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids - to his squad, but is expected to start with Barcelona's Patrick Kluivert and Ajax's Rafael van der Vaart up front.

Arsenal striker Bergkamp, Holland's second-highest goalscorer, insisted Advocaat was right to leave Van Nistelrooy out.

"It is a tough job for the manager of any Dutch side because there are always going to be strong personalities to deal with," Bergkamp told the Daily Mirror newspaper.

If I don't play and other players have to do a job, then I'll support them and hope we go to Portugal Ruud van Nistelrooy

"It is in our nature in Holland to speak our mind.

"Ruud is a strong personality and he also is a player who can win you matches.

"But he reacted too much to his substitution during Holland's game against the Czech Republic last month.

"No player likes being substituted but on that occasion Ruud went too far and that was why Dick Advocaat had to drop him for the next game."

Van Nistelrooy - who apologised to Advocaat for the outburst - claims he is happy to put the team first ahead of Saturday's first leg match.

"If I play 90 minutes or a half or ten minutes, it doesn't matter," the 27-year-old told BBC Five Live.

The players have to throw the egos away and think only about the result Dick Advocaat

"It is not about me or my disappointment, it's about going to Portugal where I want to perform.

"If I don't play and other players have to do a job, then I'll support them and hope we go to Portugal.

"That's our ultimate goal, especially for me, as I've never been to a major tournament."

Meanwhile, Advocaat has said he would resign if his squad fails to qualify for Euro 2004.

"If we don't qualify and we don't go, then I quit," said Advocaat.

"It doesn't matter who plays.

"They all want to go to Portugal and they have to throw the egos away and think only about the result and on the game.

"I think everybody has to realise, and they will realise, the importance of the game."