Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat recalled veteran striker Robin van Persie on Friday to his squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against France and Bulgaria. Fenerbahçe forward Van Persie played the last of his 101 internationals in October 2015. The 34-year-old former Arsenal and Manchester United star is the Netherlands' all-time top scorer with 50 goals.

"I still think he is one of the best strikers we have," Advocaat said as he announced his squad.

It remains to be seen if Van Persie is fit enough to play a full match, or if Advocaat will use him off the bench.

"He can make a very important contribution to the Dutch team," the coach said.

Van Persie was one of six forwards included in the squad, with Memphis Depay of Olympique Lyon and Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen. The Dutch need Van Persie to start finding the net again. After six matches, the Netherlands is third in Group A, three points behind Sweden, which leads the group on goal difference from France. Only the winner is guaranteed a place at next year's World Cup in Russia.