Poland depleted for Brussels tussle

Poland's preparations for their vital UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Belgium have been hit by the withdrawal of four players. Defender Krzysztof Lagiewka (food poisoning) and striker Grzegorz Rasiak (rib injury) were the first to pull out, and were soon followed by defensive midfielder Mariusz Lewandowski (flu) and left-winger Jacek Krzynówek (back pains). Coach Leo Beenhakker has called up just one replacement, the versatile Legia Warszawa forward Sebastian Szałachowski, for the Group A game.

Meanwhile, Belgium No1 Stijn Stijnen is a major doubt for Wednesday's encounter after the Club Brugge KV goalkeeper suffered a suspected broken finger during Saturday's league win against R. Charleroi SC. Coach René Vandereycken may decide to replace the 25-year-old with either Brian Vandenbussche or Geert De Vlieger.

Shay Given will play his first match in two months when he lines up for the Republic of Ireland against San Marino in Dublin. The 30–year-old has been sidelined since suffering a stomach injury while playing for Newcastle United FC against West Ham United FC in mid-September. Coach Steve Staunton has picked the following team for the Group D fixture: Shay Given; Steve Finnan, Richard Dunne, Paul McShane, John O'Shea; Damien Duff, Lee Carsley, Andy Reid, Kevin Kilbane; Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.

CA River Plate midfielder Gonzalo Higuaín has turned down the chance to join the France squad for their friendly with Greece. The 18-year-old, who was born in France but moved to Argentina ten months later, said he is "not ready" to opt for Les Bleus above the South American nation. "It's simply too high stakes for me," he explained. "I did not want to hurt anybody. I just hope I'll have another chance."

Sweden defender Olof Mellberg and midfielder Anders Svensson have dropped out of the friendly with the Ivory Coast in Le Mans, France. Mellberg has withdrawn because of a knee injury while Svensson, who clinched the Swedish championship with IF Elfsborg nine days ago, has a sore thigh. Svensson's club-mate Samuel Holmén has been called in as a replacement.

Spain coach Luis Aragonés said "there are no such thing as friendlies for me" as he prepared for Wednesday's game against Romania in Cadiz. With his side struggling in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying, Aragonés has called up five new players. The 68-year-old said: "This match and the game against England in February will allow me to give youngsters a chance. Romania are a good team who could make life difficult for us."