Ruud van Nistelrooy said he can't wait to return to the Dutch side after missing the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic last month.

The Manchester United striker was suspended for the opening game of their World Cup qualifying campaign after a two-match ban for insulting Swedish referee Anders Frisk in the Euro 2004 semi-final defeat by Portugal.

He will also have to sit out Saturday's clash with Macedonia but is available for Wednesday's tricky meeting with Finland.

The defeat of the Czechs was a dream start for new coach Marco van Basten and Van Nistelrooy said there is a buoyant mood in the Dutch camp as they aim to make up for failing to qualify for the 2002 finals.

"I was very curious for the first match against the Czechs and it was great to see those youngsters battle for a good result," said Van Nistelrooy, who is one of the senior members of the Dutch squad.

"It wasn't always that brilliant but the result was fabulous. We played dashing football and with three defenders, that is exactly how I wanted to play.

"We created space when in possession but we also showed a lot of guts and that can make the difference."

Van Nistelrooy said that Van Basten, who took over from Dick Advocaat after Euro 2004, was selecting more players from the Dutch league, which was helping team spirit.

"It is good for Dutch football that there are now more players from our own league involved in the national team," he said. "We all want to play beautiful football but when that won't work out something else is needed.

"The ideal would be a mixture of good football and a fighting spirit."