Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Aleksandar Rankovic is back in the squad for Sunday's home clash against FC Utrecht.

The Serbo-Montenegrin playmaker has been out of the side since November 21 following a disagreement with coach Edward Sturing but is now pushing for a recall.

Rankovic had refused to accept a place amongst the substitutes for the home clash with PSV Eindhoven and was subsequently banished to the reserves.

He is now back in contention but is likely to again be on the bench - with Sturing set to largely keep faith with the side that drew 2-2 against RKC Waalwijk last time out.

Michael Dingsdag will miss out through suspension, while Peter van den Berg and Ruud Knol are both carrying injuries.

Vitesse defender Stijn Vreven is relishing the prospect of facing his old club and is particularly excited about coming up against former team-mate Dave van den Bergh.

"Utrecht was the sporting peak of my career," he said. "Three times in four years we managed to reach European football. Two cup finals, of which we won one.

"When I joined FC Utrecht I immediately saw that those things would be possible. In the end we were a real fighting machine.

"On Sunday I play against Dave van de Bergh. That's special. We are not the best of friends. Our characters are totally opposite.

"During training sessions there were a lot of flare-ups between us. I'm looking forward to the game, but not only because of van den Bergh."

After losing both league meetings against Vitesse last season, Utrecht coach Foeke Booy is determined to get something from the game.

"We were very kind to a Vitesse side that was struggling to stay in the top division last season," he said. "Too kind.

"This year we won't give away six points to them."

Although the match will see former team-mates from both sides coming face to face with each other, Booy insists there will be no room for sentiment at the Gelredome.

"Just one thing matters to us," he said. "Before the winter break we want to have 28 to 30 points and with that a solid basis for the second half of the season.

"With a good result at Vitesse we will come close to our goal."

Defender Alje Schut admits he will have his hands full when he also lines up against a former club-mate in the shape of Vitesse striker Igor Gluscevic.

"I go into every game blank and with no sentiments," he said.

"But I do know how Igor loves to get himself into a duel. I remember from early days at training that a lot of times I got an elbow from him."

Hans van de Haar is back in contention after completing his four-match ban but David Di Tommaso is doubtful with a rib injury.