Hristov returns to Bulgaria fold

Striking concerns
VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Hristov, 33, has been blighted by injuries in recent seasons but has enjoyed a return to form this term and could be in line for his first Bulgaria appearance since September 2004 when his country face Latvia on 6 February. The victors will play the winners of the match between Cyprus and Hungary in the final, and Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov hopes striker Berbatov will have a part to play, despite struggling with a groin problem. Winger Petrov is out with a knee injury, however, and is doubtful for Bulgaria's next UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Albania on 28 March.

Bulgaria squad
Goalkeepers: Georgi Petkov (PFC Levski Sofia), Dimitar Ivankov (Kayserispor).

Defenders: Radostin Kishishev (Charlton Athletic FC), Stanislav Angelov (PFC Levski Sofia), Elin Topuzakov (PFC Levski Sofia), Igor Tomašić (PFC Levski Sofia), Lucio Wagner (PFC Levski Sofia), Valentin Iliev (PFC CSKA Sofia), Aleksandar Tunchev (PFC CSKA Sofia), Petar Zanev (PFC Litex Lovech).

Midfielders: Blagoy Georgiev (FK Crvena Zvezda), Chavdar Yankov (Hannover 96), Marian Hristov (VfL Wolfsburg), Georgi Peev (FC Amkar Perm), Hristo Yovov (PFC Levski Sofia), Dimitar Telkiyski (PFC Levski Sofia), Zdravko Lazarov (Kayseri Erciyesspor).

Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Svetoslav Todorov (Portsmouth FC), Valeri Bozhinov (Juventus), Zoran Janković (Dalian Shide FC), Tsvetan Genkov (PFC Lokomotiv Sofia).