Stepanovs sidelined for Latvia tests

Latvia squad
Defender Stepanovs, who has won 93 caps for his country, will be sorely missed by Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs, as will Skonto FC winger Andrejs Pereplotkins who, like the 31-year-old former Arsenal FC centre-back, is injured. On a brighter note, goalkeeper Deniss Romanovs, Jevgenijs Kosmacovs and Kristaps Blanks are all back in contention after lengthy lay-offs.

Blanks chance
Strikers Maris Verpakovskis and Marians Pahars are also fit again, while Kristaps Blanks is included in the squad after impressing in recent league matches for Skonto. Latvia, who host Nigel Worthington's Group F leaders on 8 September before travelling to Oviedo to take on Spain the following Wednesday, are bottom of the section with just one win and five defeats from six games.

Latvia squad
Goalkeepers: Andris Vanins (FK Ventspils), Aleksandrs Kolinko (FC Rubin Kazan), Deniss Romanovs (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti).

Defenders: Deniss Ivanovs (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Kaspars Gorkss (Blackpool FC), Oskars Klava (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Deniss Kacanovs (FK Ventspils), Dzintars Zirnis (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Pavels Surnins (SK Liepajas Metalurgs).

Midfielders: Jurijs Laizans (FC Kuban Krasnodar), Vitalijs Astafjevs (Skonto FC), Imants Bleidelis (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Aleksandrs Cauna (Skonto FC), Aleksejs Visnakovs (Skonto FC), Genadijs Solonicins (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Andrejs Rubins (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Jurijs Zigajevs (FK Riga), Jevgenijs Kosmacovs (FK Ventspils).

Strikers: Vits Rimkus (FK Ventspils), Maris Verpakovskis (HNK Hajduk Split), Girts Karlsons (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Kristaps Blanks (Skonto FC), Marians Pahars (Anorthosis Famagusta FC).