Van der Vaart on standby

Van der Vaart: Waiting game

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Rafael van der Vaart must wait and see whether he will make Holland's friendly date with Australia.

The Dutch are set to face the Socceroos in Sydney on 10th October.

However, they look set to do so without Real Madrid playmaker Van der Vaart.

The 26-year-old has been left out of Bert van Marwijk's 22-man squad after failing to hold down regular first-team football this season.

He could, however, be drafted into the fold should Arsenal ace Robin van Persie be forced to stay at home for the birth of his child.

"I spoke with Rafael about it and he showed understanding," said Van Marwijk.

"He played only one match and a bit in the last four months and I made an exception for a long time as he is a special player who always brings something special.

"But if Robin van Persie's wife has not given birth to her baby before we leave, Robin will stay at home and Rafael will replace him."

The only other notable absentee from the Dutch squad is Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, who picked up a knee injury in UEFA Champions League action against Juventus in midweek.

Holland squad to face Australia on 10th October:

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Utrecht), Piet Velthuizen (Vitesse Arnhem)

Defenders: John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Edson Braafheid (Bayern Munich), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Glenn Loovens (Celtic)

Midfielders: Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Orlando Engelaar (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Ryan Babel (Liverpool)