The Dutch face Bulgaria in a Group G clash here on Saturday but the build-up to the game has been overshadowed by disputes in the squad.

"We had a lot of discussions last week," said van Basten.

"I do not want to come back to the question before the game."

Van Basten, part of the Dutch team that won the 1988 European championships, included Bayern Munich star van Bommel in his World Cup squad in Germany this summer but the pair fell out as the Netherlands lost 1-0 to Portugal in the last 16.

Real Madrid's van Nistelrooy was left on the bench for that match.

Midfielder van Bommel has said he no longer wants to play for the Dutch while van Basten is in charge while van Nistelrooy, who was called up as a replacement for the injured Klaas Jan Huntelaar, snubbed the approaches of the Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

Van Basten then made a surprise telephone call to van Nistelrooy over the weekend, but failed in his bid to lure the ex-Manchester United forward, who had recently criticised the national coaching staff, back to the squad.

Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov said his team was primed to take advantage of the Dutch team's brittle temperament.

"This will be a key match as everyone seems to consider the Dutch as the group's favourite and they should not be underestimated," said Stoichkov. "But we will see tomorrow on the field who is a favourite and who is not. I will be happy with a draw."

The Bulgarians have drawn 2-2 with Romania and beaten Slovenia 3-0 in their two matches so far and with four points are breathing down the necks of the Dutchmen who top the group with six points.

Stoichkov's 23-man squad has been cut to 20 after injuries forced out Red Star Belgrade midfielder Blagoy Georgiev, Wigan Athletic striker Svetoslav Todorov and Litex Lovech defender Rosen Kirilov.