Football: Matthaus out of twilight zone

BERTI VOGTS, Germany's coach, has rescued his former captain Lothar Matthaus from the international wilderness and put him in his World Cup squad - alongside his old rival Jurgen Klinsmann.

Matthaus, Germany's most-capped player with 122 appearances for his country, is the surprise inclusion in Germany's 22-man squad for the finals in France. He last represented his country against Albania on December 18, 1994.

Matthaus was dropped from the German team two years ago, just before Euro 96, and chose at the time to criticise Vogts and to attack Klinsmann for allegedly lobbying to have him removed from the squad. The 37-year- old's international career had appeared to be over, but the long-term absence of Matthias Sammer left the libero position wide open.

Only last week, Klinsmann - who succeeded Matthaus as Germany's captain - agreed to end their long-running dispute, which dates back to the time they played together for Bayern Munich, for the good of the national side.

The Leeds United striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has received an unexpected call-up to the Dutch World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old Surinam-born forward has scored 22 goals in his first season in the Premiership following his pounds 2m move from the Portuguese side Boavista last summer. He said: "Despite my name being mentioned, I hadn't seriously considered this possible. This is the crowning glory of my career."