Sweden will be without Behrang Safari for their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Moldova on 29 March after the left-back tore ligaments in his right ankle at the weekend.

The FC Basel 1893 defender was substituted seven minutes into his team's 1-0 Swiss Super League victory at FC Luzern and will undergo surgery once the swelling has subsided. At this stage, it is unclear whether the 26-year-old former Malmö FF player – ever-present in Sweden's Group E campaign so far – will feature again for his club this season, which finishes on 25 May.

"It's an unfortunate setback, both for Berra himself and for the national team," said Erik Hamrén, the Sweden coach. "We can only hope for a quick recovery so that he returns as soon as possible."

After the forthcoming qualifier in Solna, Sweden visit Moldova for the return fixture on 3 June before hosting Finland four days later. Hamrén's men sit third in their section with six points from three matches.