Forssell makes timely return

Rebuilding career
Forssell, currently on loan at 1. Bundesliga side VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach from English Premiership club Chelsea FC, is rebuilding his career in Germany after suffering a serious knee injury in the summer.

Litmanen injury doubt
Coach Antti Muurinen admitted he was relieved to have the 21-year-old striker in his 20-man squad, especially as captain Jari Litmanen remains an injury doubt. He said: "We had a great year in 2001 when both players were in the squad. Forssell was out last year because of injury and we had problems scoring goals. I hope I can pick both of them in Palermo, but we just have to wait and see with Jari and hope for the best."

Confident mood
However, Muurinen claimed that Finland no longer had an inferiority complex when it came to playing Europe's major nations and maintained that his squad would travel to Italy in confident mood. "Although it is a big challenge, it's also a great opportunity," he said. "We are proud of ourselves and there is no need for us to respect Italy too much – those days are behind us."

Third spot
Finland are currently in fourth place in Group 9 after one win and two defeats, a point behind the Italians and two adrift of second-placed Serbia and Montenegro. Wales top the section with a maximum nine points.

Finland squad
Enckelman, Jääskeläinen, Niemi, Heikkinen, Hyypiä, Nylund, Pasanen, Saarinen, Tihinen, Forssell, Ilola, Johansson, Kolkka, Kopteff, Kuqi, Litmanen, Nurmela, Riihilahti, Tainio, Valakari.