Amsterdam, March 21 (IANS): The Netherlands football coach Guus Hiddink has called up striker Bas Dost for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Turkey and the friendly against Spain here.
Dost had received an invitation for the Dutch squad in 2012, but the VfL Wolfsburg forward never played for the national team. The 25-year-old striker is on fire in 2015 and scored 13 goals in 14 matches in the German Bundesliga this season, reports Xinhua.
"Bas had a difficult first half of the season, but after that he converted every chance," Hiddink explained on Friday.
"I am happy to have him with the squad. He is a player who can cause war on the field."
Captain Robin van Persie is absent due to an ankle injury, while defender Ron Vlaar cannot join the squad due to a calf injury.
The Aston Villa defender already suffered from knee and calf injuries earlier this season and only played one international since the World Cup in Brazil last year.
"Vlaar has the same problem with his calf again, He is now revalidating. I deeply regret his absence," said Hiddink.
The Netherlands are at a disappointing third place with six points from four matches in Euro 2016 qualifying Group A.
Czech Republic (12 points from four matches) and Iceland (nine points from four games) are the top two and Turkey are fourth, two points behind the Dutch team.
'Oranje' will play Turkey on March 28 and Spain in a friendly on March 31.
Following is the Netherlands squad for matches against Turkey and Spain:
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Kenneth Vermeer (Feyenoord), Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
Defenders: Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jeffrey Bruma (PSV), Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United), Bruno Martins Indi (FC Porto), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio Roma), Gregory van der Wiel (Paris Saint-Germain), Jetro Willems (PSV).
Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Olympiacos), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Napoli), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV).
Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Bas Dost (VfL Wolfsburg), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).