Van Persie: I am available for any position

Robin van Persie is prepared to "play anywhere" on the pitch when the Netherlands begin their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification campaign this week. The Manchester United striker faces the prospect of starting on the substitutes' bench after new coach Louis van Gaal overlooked him for their friendly loss to Belgium last month. Van Gaal instead opted to start Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who scored in the 4-2 defeat, to further fuel the debate over which of the forwards was best for the Oranje. Van Persie misfired during the Netherlands' disappointing UEFA EURO 2012, after topping the goalscoring charts in the Premier League last term, to reinforce criticism he saves his best for his club. The 29-year-old has revealed he has since spoken to Van Gaal about his place but, despite netting a hat-trick for new club United against Southampton at the weekend, he remains unsure whether he will get his chance against Turkey and Hungary over the next week. "I'm just available," he told reporters when asked where he was likely to play. "It does not matter what I think. Those are questions for the coach. I am available for any position." Asked about his discussion with Van Gaal, he added: "It was a good talk." Despite the possibility of being left out, Van Persie, who has scored 29 goals for the Dutch, said he would always remain committed to his country. "I still find it an honour to be here," he told AD Sportwereld. "That will not really change. Even if I will not play the next matches." The Netherlands begin the road to Brazil 2012 with a home match against Turkey in Amsterdam on Friday, before travelling to meet Hungary four days later. From : Fifa