Tudor forced out of action

Juventus FC have lost Igor Tudor for their next two UEFA Champions League games after the luckless Croatian international suffered a thigh strain.

Ankle problem
Tudor, 24, has had a troubled time with injuries this year, including an ankle problem which kept him out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals. The versatile player, who has been used in defence and midfield by the Italian club this season, will miss the last match of the Champions League first group stage against FC Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine on Wednesday.

Already through
His absence next week will not trouble Juventus too much as they have already qualified from Group E, probably in first place provided Dynamo do not get a better result than the 5-0 win achieved by the Bianconeri in the previous meeting. However, it is expected that Tudor will also be ruled out of the first match of the second group stage, scheduled for 26/27 November, before returning to action early next month.

Excellent start
Juventus, who have made an excellent start to their Serie A campaign and lie in third place after five wins and three draws in their first eight games, will also be without Paolo Montero and David Trezeguet for the Dynamo match.