Weakened Andorra go to Russia

Andorra coach David Rodrigo will take on Russia in St Petersburg without at least eight established players.

Key absentees
While six of his squad are suspended - Ildefons Lima, Toni Sivera, Óscar Sonejee, Antoni Lima, Genís García and Juan Carlos Toscano Beltrán - both Juli Fernández and Fernando Silva miss out because of club commitments. To compound matters ahead of Saturday's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier, Rodrigo must wait on the fitness of Javier M Sánchez, Gabriel Riera, Jordi Rubio and Juli Sánchez who are all struggling with knocks.

Bernaus boost
The only good news for the Group E minnows is that Marc Bernaus has made himself available for selection - the Elche CF defender had agreed with the Andorran Football Federation that he would sit out Saturday internationals for the sake of his club. However, Bernaus said: "I haven't been playing for Elche, so why deprive myself of an international cap?" After the Russia game, Andorra will host Israel four days later.

Andorra squad
Goalkeepers: Koldo Álvarez (CF Balaguer), Alfonso Sánchez (Ciudad de Santiago).

Defenders: José Manuel Ayala (FC Santa Coloma), Javier M Sánchez (FC Andorra), Jordi Rubio (FC Andorra), Txema García (FC Andorra), Álex Somoza (FC Andorra), Juli Fernández (FC Santa Coloma), Jordi Escura (FC Benavent).

Midfielders: Justo Ruíz (Rànger's FC), Marcio Vieira (SD Eivissa), Xavi Andorrà (CD Benicarló), Marc Bernaus (Elche CF), Manolo Jiménez (FC Andorra), Marc Pujol (UE Santboiana), Òscar Da Cunha (FC Santa Coloma), Ludovic Clemente (CE Manresa), Xavier Gil (FC Andorra), Marc Vales (FC Andorra), Víctor Rodríguez (FC Santa Coloma).

Forwards: Sergio Moreno (SD Eivissa), Juli Sánchez (FC Andorra), Gabriel Riera (Cádiz CF B).