Austria recall absent defenders

Martin Stranzl and Andreas Ibertsberger have returned to the Austria squad for the friendlies against England and Tunisia after recovering from injury.

First win of 2007
The 27-year-old Stranzl and 25-year-old Ibertsberger, both defenders, have not played since the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic on 22 August, with the former damaging ligaments in his left ankle while the latter suffering from a cracked cheekbone. Fresh from a 3-2 win against Ivory Coast on 17 October – their first win of 2007 – Austria host England on 16 November and Tunisia on 21 November with both games being played at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.

Austria squad
Goalkeepers: Jürgen Macho (AEK Athens FC), Alexander Manninger (AC Siena), Helge Payer (SK Rapid Wien).

Defenders: Johannes Ertl (FK Austria Wien), György Garics (SSC Napoli), Ronald Gercaliu (FK Austria Wien), Martin Hiden (SK Rapid Wien), Andreas Ibertsberger (SC Freiburg), Jürgen Patocka (SK Rapid Wien), Franz Schiemer (FK Austria Wien), Martin Stranzl (FC Spartak Moskva).

Midfielders: René Aufhauser (FC Salzburg), Christian Fuchs (SV Mattersburg), Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos FC), Veli Kavlak (SK Rapid Wien), Christoph Leitgeb (FC Salzburg), Yüksel Sariyar (FK Austria Wien), Joachim Standfest (FK Austria Wien), Markus Weissenberger (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Forwards: Martin Harnik (Werder Bremen), Sanel Kuljic (FK Austria Wien), Roman Kienast (Ham-Kam Fotball).