Card concern for coaches

With qualification for the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals going down to the wire, the threat of suspension hangs over many players.

Think carefully
All ten of the qualifying groups are still in the balance, meaning the majority of the final matches will be highly significant. This poses a problem for those coaches who have to field strong lineups on Wednesday night but who also have to be aware of their needs on 11 October.

Risky business
Germany have perhaps the greatest dilemma, with three teams still capable of topping Group 5. Rudi Völler's side know they must get a result at home on Wednesday against Scotland before thinking about the visit of Iceland, the group's other main contenders, next month. Yet eight of Völler's squad are one booking from a suspension that would rule them out of that final qualifier.

Close to line
Völler could well risk Michael Ballack, Christian Wörns, Carsten Ramelow, Miroslav Klose, Sebastian Kehl, Christian Rahn and Oliver Neuville, even though all are one rash challenge away from an early end to their qualifying campaign. Völler vowed to name a strong selection on Wednesday when he said: "I will only play those who will give their all for the team."

Four involved
Group 4 is perhaps the widest open of the sections, with any of four teams able to finish on top of the standings. Sweden, Poland, Hungary and Latvia each have matches left against two of their three rivals and each also have players one caution away from suspension. For example, Sweden may well start with Marcus Allbäck, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kim Källström, Tobias Linderoth and Anders Svensson against the Poles, even though a yellow card for any would end their chance of playing against Latvia next month.

Three under threat
England have similar concerns but can afford to take preventative action. Sven-Göran Eriksson's men welcome Liechtenstein to Old Trafford confident of victory against one of Europe's minnows. Captain David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Sol Campbell are all one yellow card away from missing the decisive Group 7 decider next month against Turkey and it has been suggested they could be rested.

Keen to play
Beckham explained the possibility had been discussed but he was keen to play. "It was at one point because three or four players are on yellow cards. It was put to me but I'd rather play," said the Real Madrid CF player.

Wednesday's suspensions
Group 1: Adoram Keise (Israel), Gilbert Agius, Saviour Darmanin (Malta)
Group 3: Marek Jankulovski (Czech Republic), Iurie Priganiuc (Moldova)
Group 4: Aleksandrs Isakovs (Latvia)
Group 5: Steven Crawford (Scotland), Deividas Semberas (Lithuania)
Group 6: Michael Hughes, James Quinn (Northern Ireland), Harutyun Vardanyan (Armenia)
Group 7: Georgi Hristov, Velice Šumulikoski (F.Y.R. Macedonia)
Group 8: Olivier De Cock (Belgium), Jerko Leko (Croatia), Ilian Stoianov (Bulgaria)
Group 9: Sinisa Mihajlovic, Dejan Stankovic, Zvonimir Vukic (Serbia and Montenegro), Craig Bellamy, Mark Delaney, Robbie Savage (Wales)
Group 10: Bernt Haas (Switzerland)