Liubinskas to miss Mali match
Friday, January 12, 2007
Article summary
Lithuania will be without the services of coach Algimantas Liubinskas for their friendly against Mali in Paris on 8 February due to a hip operation.
Article body
Lithuania will be without coach Algimantas Liubinskas for their friendly international against Mali in Paris on 8 February after he undergoes an operation on his left hip on Monday.
Joint replacement
The 55-year-old is to have a replacement coxofemoral joint inserted. He said: "I can't wait any longer for the surgery as I'm feeling pain while walking. That's the consequence of old football injuries. After the operation the long rehabilitation process will begin."
Squad changes
Vitalis Stankevičius and Raimondas Statkevičius will be at the helm against Mali, but will be without defender Rolandas Dziaukstas, who has chosen to remain with Russian club FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast in pre-season preparations and will be replaced by Gediminas Paulauskas of FK Ekranas. Midfielder Deividas Cesnauskis will also miss out due to a leg injury. Lithuania lie fifth in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B having collected four points from three games and meet France on 24 March.
