Belgians wait on captain

Injuries continue to blight preparations for the start of EURO 2004™ qualifiers on Saturday with Belgium the latest team to suffer.

Major doubt
Bart Goor, captain of the Red Devils, is a major doubt for Belgium's home match against Bulgaria. The Hertha BSC Berlin midfield player, who scored the first goal at the EURO 2000™ finals, is suffering from an ankle injury and is in Germany for further tests.

Daerden waiting
According to Belgium team doctor Marc Goosens, there is only a 50 per cent chance that Goor will make the Group 8 game. "It will depend how the swelling evolves," he said. "On Thursday we will know more.''  If Goor pulls out, Koen Daerden, the KRC Genk winger, could take his place.

Cunningham captain
Captains were in the news today with the Republic of Ireland naming Kenny Cunningham, 31, as their new leader on the pitch, following the retirement of Steve Staunton after the FIFA World Cup and the continued absence of previous captain Roy Keane.

Russia test
The Irish begin their bid to reach Portugal in two years' time with an away tie against Russia in Moscow. Centre-back Cunningham, who joined English Premiership side Birmingham City FC in the summer, has won 41 caps for his country.

Sand honour
Denmark have also appointed a new captain, with FC Schalke O4 striker Ebbe Sand being asked to take the armband in the absence of the injured Rene Henriksen. The Danes take on Norway in Oslo and the match will have extra significance for Sand as he will be making his 50th appearance for his country. Norway have also been hit by injuries with Hammarby midfield player Fredrik Winsnes being called into the squad after the withdrawal of FK Austria Wien's Sigurd Rushfeldt because of an ankle injury.

Dospel wanted
There was better news for Rushfeldt's club colleague Ernst Dospel. Austria coach Hans Krankl called the midfield player into the Austria squad to face Moldova after a knee injury cost him the services of TSV 1860 München player Harald Cerny.

Boksic blow
Croatia have lost striker Alen Boksic for the Group 8 match against Estonia with a thigh injury, while Scotland have lost two English-based players for their game against the Faroe Islands. Leeds United AFC defender Dominic Matteo (ankle) and West Bromwich Albion FC midfield player Derek McInnes (knee) were both ruled out today.

Beckham out
England, who called up David Dunn to replace Kieron Dyer yesterday, have lost their captain David Beckham to a calf injury for the friendly with Portugal. Beckham, who played for Manchester United FC in last night's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough FC, will not be replaced in the squad  although manager Sven-Göran Eriksson faces a dilemma over who will wear the armband in his absence.