De Jong and Malen return to Netherlands squad ahead of crucial Nations League ties

Netherlands head coach Xavi has recalled Frenkie de Jong and Donyell Malen for this month's crucial Nations League matches against Greece and Germany.

The Oranje have collected 8 points from their four matches so far in Group A2. The Dutch beat Serbia both home and away, and drew with Germany at home and with Greece away.

The Netherlands sit top of the group, ahead of Greece on goal difference. With Jürgen Klopp's Germany three points behind, all three sides remain in contention for a quarter-final place.

The standout details in the second squad Xavi has named as Netherlands head coach were the returns of De Jong, who has not worn the national shirt since the World Cup, and Malen, who was forced to withdraw from the previous camp with a minor knee injury.

De Jong, who suffered a knee injury at the World Cup, was only able to return to action for his club Barcelona in late October, and made his first appearance in the starting 11 this season in last weekend's 6-1 LaLiga win over Alavés.

Malen, meanwhile, returned to action for Roma immediately after the previous international break and has scored 8 goals in 9 Serie A appearances this season.

Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong, Jorrel Hato and Nathan Aké were the most notable absentees. Eredivisie top scorer Wout Weghorst was also left out, despite Xavi saying last month that the 34-year-old striker remained among his options.

The Netherlands travel to Greece on 13 November before facing old rivals Germany in a crucial encounter at the Olympisch Stadion three days later.

Netherlands squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Defenders: Denzel Dumfries (Real Madrid), Lutsharel Geertruida (PSV), Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Al-Qadsiah), Quinten Timber (Crystal Palace), Guus Til (PSV), Joey Veerman (Borussia Dortmund), Gjivai Zechiël (Feyenoord)

Forwards: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Ruben van Bommel (PSV), Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Napoli), Donyell Malen (Roma), Mexx Meerdink (AZ), Crysencio Summerville (Al-Hilal)