By Theo Ruizenaar

ZEIST, Netherlands, May 25 (Reuters) Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is to end his self-imposed exile from the national squad, Netherlands coach Marco van Basten today said.

Van Nistelrooy was dropped after the World Cup finals in Germany and the disaffected striker declined a call-up when asked to replace the injured Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in October.

''I called Ruud in October and visited him in January and both times I had the feeling that we could still work together,'' Van Basten told reporters.

''I phoned him now because he is in good form at Madrid and was surprised by my call.'' ''We are glad that he will be available because that will give more competition in the squad and that is what we need.'' Van Nistelrooy was not named in the Dutch squad for friendlies against South Korea and Thailand next month but will return for the Euro qualifiers against Bulgaria and Albania in September.

REUTERS AKD HT1750