Savicevic calls on defensive duo

Defensive reinforcements
FK Zeleznik right-back Markovic and FK Crvena Zvezda centre-half Mladenovic come into a squad missing injured defenders Nikola Lazetic and Dejan Stankovic as well as midfield player Ivica Dragutinovic. "The two newcomers have been in excellent form with their clubs," Savicevic said, "and I need them as replacements for Stankovic and Lazetic."

Busy programme
Serbia and Montenegro will play England in Leicester on 3 June before entering two Group 9 qualifiers within the space of four days. Savicevic's team face Finland in Helsinki on 7 June, then take on Azerbaijan in Baku.

Choice of players
The coach, who has named a 24-man squad but not Mateja Kezman who has made himself unavailable for selection, said: "We have three matches in nine days and I have to make provisions against injuries. Against England, I will give a chance to almost all the players, and then it will become clear who will make the starting 11 for the group games."

Deciding game
For Savicevic, "the Finland match is the decisive one". Serbia and Montenegro are third in their group - behind Wales and Italy but two points ahead of the Finns, having played a game less than their three major rivals. "A win would eliminate Finland from the race for the top two places." Of Azerbaijan, Savicevic added: "I have no doubt we will be the better side in Baku, so six points is the goal."

Serbia and Montenegro squad
Jevric, Zilic, Njegus, Markovic, Mirkovic, Djordjevic, Vidic, Mihajlovic, Gavrancic, Krstajic, Stefanovic, Malbasa, Dmitrovic, Trobok, Duljaj, N Kovacevic, Ilic, Mladenovic, Vukic, Boskovic, Mijatovic, Milosevic, D Kovacevic, Jestrovic.