Ukraine count on Shevchenko

International football returns to the top of the agenda next week with a number of European nations looking to fine-tune preparations ahead of the resumption of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying in March. uefa.com rounds up the latest news.

Andriy Shevchenko will captain Ukraine against Israel as he looks to rebuild his confidence following a lean spell at Chelsea FC. The 30-year-old has scored just three goals in 21 Premiership matches, although he has rediscovered his touch somewhat by netting three times in two recent cup games against lower-league opposition. FC Groningen midfielder Evgeniy Levchenko is the other notable inclusion as he returns from the international wilderness.

Sweden coach Lars Lagerbäck has chosen RSC Anderlecht's new signing Max von Schlebrügge and AIK Solna's Markus Jonsson in his squad for the 7 February friendly with Egypt, while Wigan Athletic FC's attacking midfielder Andreas Johansson is a surprise call-up. Fredrik Ljungberg is sidelined by injury and there is still no room for Zlatan Ibrahimović. "I've spoken to him and he doesn't want to play for the national team," said Lagerbäck.

Less than 24 hours after being named Scotland manager, Alex McLeish has picked a 30-man squad for a team get-together. Rangers FC goalkeeper Allan McGregor gets his first call-up, while there are recalls for several players including Steven Caldwell, Kevin McNaughton, Richard Hughes, Ian Murray and Steven Thompson. The Group B leaders will spend two days training in Ayrshire at the start of next week.

In-form FC Nordsjælland forward Morten Nordstrand could cap a memorable season with an international debut after being included in Denmark's squad for the match against Australia in London. "I am surprised, if extremely proud. This is more than I ever expected, but I have been dreaming of it," said the 23-year-old, who is the ten-goal top scorer in the Superligaen.

Josef Hickersberger, coach of UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Austria, has brought in two newcomers for the friendly against Malta. The debutants are Grazer AK defender Mario Majstorovic, 29, and 22-year-old forward Roman Kienast, who plays in Norway for Ham-Kam Fotball.

Guus Hiddink will have an experienced 19-man selection for Russia's friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who recently completed a €5m switch to Sevilla FC from FC Zenit St. Petersburg, is again omitted as he needs games but defenders Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksandr Anyukov return from lay-offs.

Despite being injured, Anthony Šerić, Dario Knežević, Igor Tudor and Goran Sabljić are included in the Croatia squad for the friendly against Norway in Rijeka as coach Slaven Bilić looks to maintain the form that has taken his side top of UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E.

Belarus coach Yuri Puntus has picked a 20-man squad to tackle Iran in Tehran, yet there is no place for the injured Aleksandr Hleb. The Arsenal FC man's absence, together with the unfit Denis Kovba, means an opportunity for the uncapped Dmitri Likhtarovich. FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk striker Aleksandr Klimenko and Andrei Poryvayev of FC SKA-Energia Khabarovsk are also in line for international debuts.

Jelle Goes has three new faces in the Estonia party for the friendlies against Poland and Slovenia on 4 and 7 February respectively. FC Flora duo Siim Roops and Gert Kams, along with FC TVMK Tallinn striker Oliver Konsa, are the novelties in the 26-man group. Midfielders Liivo Leetma and Aivar Anniste are also recalled.

Three home-based players get a chance to impress after Srečko Katanec nominated his squad for F.Y.R. Macedonia's friendly in Albania. FK Rabotnicki goalkeeper Tome Pacovski, FK Makedonija GP Skopje midfielder Artim Polozani and FK Sileks striker Stevica Ristic will all hope to shine.

New Slovenia coach Matjaž Kek has handed SK Sturm Graz's Mitja Morec and MŠK Žilina's Dare Vršic their first call-ups for the friendly against Estonia. The 45-year-old has also appointed former NK Gorica coach Milan Miklavič as his assistant and Nihad Pejkovič as goalkeeping coach.

Wycombe Wanderers FC's 25-year-old striker Jermaine Easter is in John Toshack's Wales squad for the first time for their trip to Northern Ireland on 6 February.

Georgia coach Klaus Toppmöller will be shorn of injured FC Lokomotiv Moskva defender Malkhaz Asatiani and suspended FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk midfielder Jaba Kankava for the friendly against Turkey. The 20-man squad includes goalkeeper Georgi Lomaia who is still looking for a club after leaving FC Luch-Energia Vladivostok.

Young FK Karabakh defender Nodar Mamedov is the only newcomer in the Azerbaijan party preparing to take on Uzbekistan. Coach Shakhin Diniyev has three naturalised Brazilians - Andre Ladaga, Leandro Gomes and Ernani Pereira - in his 18-man selection, along with Ukrainian-born Aleksandr Chertoganov.

Lithuania goalkeeper Žydrunas Karčemarskas has withdrawn from the squad to face Mali in Paris, with Saulius Klevinskas replacing the 23-year-old FC Dinamo Moskva custodian. The match will be played without the services of coach Algimantas Liubinskas due to a hip operation.

Latvia coach Jurijs Andrejevs has called teenager Jevgenijs Kosmacovs into his 18-man pool for the mini-tournament in Cyprus. The FK Ventspils midfielder will be eager to impress when Latvia face Bulgaria on 6 February. Andrejs Rubins, Maris Smirnovs, Igors Stepanovs, Jurijs Laizans and Andrejs Prohorenkovs all miss the trip.