Tricky time for F.Y.R. Macedonia

F.Y.R. Macedonia will be without key forwards Goran Pandev and Ilco Naumoski for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Russia in Skopje on 15 November.

Suspension
Srečko Katanec has called up 18 players but the absence through suspension of S.S. Lazio's Pandev and SV Mattersburg's Naumoski could leave his side struggling for goals. One positive for the coach is the return of AC Omonia midfielder Vlatko Grozdanovski. F.Y.R. Macedonia are handily placed in Group E, level on seven points with England, Croatia and Israel, although like England they have played a game more. Russia are two points back.

F.Y.R. Macedonia squad
Goalkeepers: Jane Nikolovski (NK Slaven Koprivnica), Tome Pacovski (FK Rabotnicki).

Defenders: Goce Sedloski (SV Mattersburg), Igor Mitreski (FC Energie Cottbus), Nikolce Noveski (1. FSV Mainz 05), Aleksandar Vasoski (Eintracht Frankfurt), Robert Petrov (PFC CSKA Sofia), Robert Popov (PFC Litex Lovech), Vlade Lazarevski (Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski).

Midfielders: Igor Jancevski (Enosis Neon Paralimni FC), Velice Sumulikoski (Bursaspor), Darko Tasevski (FC Metalurh Zaporizhya), Artim Sakiri (FC International Turku), Aleksandar Mitreski (1. FC Köln), Vlatko Grozdanovski (AC Omonia).

Forwards: Aco Stojkov (FK Partizan), Goran Maznov (KSC Lokeren OV), Stevica Ristic (FK Sileks).