Ruud van Nistelrooy has labelled Kolo Toure the most improved player in world football.

The pair have come face to face in Premiership combat regularly over the past four seasons but do battle on the international front tomorrow when Van Nistelrooy's Holland tackle Toure's Ivory Coast in Stuttgart tomorrow.

And, while Van Nistelrooy has often gained the upper hand over his rival for Manchester United, he recognises the task is getting more difficult every time.

"To me, Kolo Toure is the most improved player in world football," said the Manchester United striker.

"His development over the last two or three years has been amazing.

"He is the quickest defender in this tournament and so strong as well. He is an extremely good player."

While Van Nistelrooy was not quite as gushing in his praise for Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba but complimentary nevertheless.

Having analysed the Elephants' opening Group C encounter with Argentina - a match the prolific striker labelled as the best in the tournament so far - he knows Drogba is the man Holland will have to stop if they are to record their second successive victory and seal a place in the knockout stage.

"Drogba is very dangerous," explained Van Nistelrooy.

"He is their captain and a lot of their play goes through him, which is something we are going to have to deal with.

"His physical strength is a major asset too, he also has quick feet and scored lots of goals, so he is clearly a man we will have to watch closely."

Coach Marco van Basten once again played down reports of a rift between wide men Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, which has threatened to re-ignite all the old tensions in the Dutch camp.

Instead, he insisted his squad remained united in the common cause.

"Harmony is very important to any team," he said.

"When you play football, you play it together. Everyone needs to have that clear in his mind.

"We have to do things together because we have no big stars and no big names such as countries like Brazil.

"We know team spirit and a willingness to remain in the group is key."

Van Nistelrooy is of the same opinion. Even though Sir Alex Ferguson claimed the striker was undermining team spirit at Manchester United during their infamous bust-up at the back end of the season, the striker insists he is loving life in the Dutch camp, where the atmosphere is serene.

"The spirit within the squad is great," he said.

"We have a fantastic bunch of players to work with. We have a lot of young lads who are making their debut on this big stage.

"We have worked so hard together over the past three or four weeks and everything has been really enjoyable."

With skipper Edwin van der Sar now recovered from the calf problem which affected him during Sunday's win over Serbia and Montenegro, Van Basten is expected to name an unchanged side, with Marc van Bommel and Phillip Cocu anchoring the midfield.