The Wigan Athletic captain has worked his way back into the Dutch squad over the last season and is will challenge for a starting role in Austria & Switzerland.

Melchiot is now challenging for the right-back spot with Blackburn's Andre Ooijer his most likely adversary.

Yet another player who was rasied and learnt his game in the Ajax youth academy. Melchiot rose quickly through the ranks of his hometown club and one of the most desired defenders in Europe when he quit the club in 1999.

Chelsea won the race for his signature on a Bosman ruling. He spent four-years at Stanford Bridge - which incorporated his debut for Holland in 2000 - before departing four-years later for another English side, Birmingham City.

He spent two-years with Birmingham, but following their relegation in 2006 - he opted for a move to France when he signed for Rennes.

Melchiot lasted just one-year in Le Championnat before he returned to England where he joined Wigan where his solid form has seen him recalled to the Oranje squad.

Melchiot featured four times for Marco van Basten's side through the qualifiers.