Downcast dozen on the sidelines

Three suspended
Turkey, looking to claw back a one-goal deficit when they welcome Latvia to Istanbul, will be without three key players at the Inönü stadium. Emre Asik's 72nd-minute red card in Saturday's 1-0 defeat earned him an automatic one-match ban, while goalkeeper Rüstü Reçber and defender Fatih Akyel picked up bookings which rule them out. The pair were also cautioned against Group 7 winners England - in the home and away games respectively - and under tournament rules a second yellow card brings a one-match suspension.

Lobanovs out
Latvia's Valentins Lobanovs will also play no part on Wednesday after being booked for a late challenge moments after Maris Verpakovskis's goal in Riga. His first yellow card of the campaign came in September's 2-0 home defeat by Poland, a result which ultimately cost Latvia automatic qualification from Group 4.

Stam blow
The Netherlands are in the same position as Turkey having lost 1-0 on their travels against Scotland. James McFadden's goal gave the Scots a precious advantage and the Dutch will have to do without the experienced Jaap Stam in Amsterdam. The S.S. Lazio centre-half, booked in the Netherlands' last Group 3 game against Moldova, was cautioned for a challenge on McFadden with eight minutes of the first leg remaining.

'Personal drama'
After arriving back in Holland on Saturday night, Stam expressed his frustration to reporters. "This is a personal drama for me," he said. "Two such important matches and I have to miss the final one." His coach, Dick Advocaat, added: "We still have 19 players left and they will have to do it on Wednesday - that's when the prizes will be handed out."

Dailly sidelined
The Dutch may draw comfort from the absence of Christian Dailly from the travelling Scotland squad. The defender was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Andy van der Meyde and will sit out Wednesday's crucial fixture at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Hughes boost
Mark Hughes is the only coach unhampered by suspensions as Wales bid to record the home victory against Russia that would secure their first place in the finals of a major tournament since 1958. Georgi Yartsev's Russia will take the field in the Millennium Stadium without influential duo Aleksandr Mostovoi and goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov, who were both booked in Saturday's Lokomotiv stadium draw.

Marchena booked
Spain will visit Norway with a 2-1 lead, but without Carlos Marchena after he received his second yellow card of the tournament. The Valencia CF defender, playing in his home stadium, was cautioned for a sliding challenge on Tore André Flo. Henning Berg, whose 85th-minute own goal handed Spain victory, will also skip the return leg after picking up his second caution at the Mestalla.

Strikers sit out
Slovenia striker Ermin Šiljak and his Croatia counterpart Ivica Olic will be onlookers when their teams meet again on Wednesday. The first leg, in which both forwards were booked, was played in Zagreb and finished in a 1-1 draw. "Several players were off form," said Croatia coach Otto Baric. "But I am convinced we can score twice in Ljubljana."