Dutch goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, who replaced the injured Edwin van der Sar for the match against France, has admitted that Holland will be a stronger side if he does not stay in the team.

The Liverpool stopper believes van der Sar is the best in the country - and wants to see him in the starting line up for Holland's quarter-final against Yugoslavia in Rotterdam.

Westerveld got his chance to start and win his fourth cap for his country after van der Sar picked up a thigh injury in the 3-0 group stroll against outclassed Denmark.

He was caught out from a corner for the first French goal, but later made two fine saves as the Dutch roared back to win 3-2 at the Amsterdam Arena.

And he said: 'I think it's better for the team that van der Sar plays, because I think he is the best goalkeeper we have.I know what I can do and I think I am a great goalkeeper, a good goalkeeper.

'But I think Van der Sar is one of the best in the world. We want to be the European champions, and it's better for me and the team that Van der Sar plays. I think he is just a little bit better than I am.

'At the moment he is in good form and I think there are not a lot of goalkeepers better than him.'

Van der Sar is now back in training, and has declared himself '98 per cent' and is expected to play in Sunday's match - although Dutch boss Frank Rijkaard has not committed himself to a decision.

The keeper revealed: 'I worked for ten minutes in the goal and that went okay. I don't feel anything.'

And he praised his stand-in's contribution, saying: 'I think Sander did a good job. In the second half he made some good saves and that was important for the team.'