Miguel Alfredo Portillo is a serious injury doubt ahead of Neuchâtel Xamax FC's UEFA Cup first-round second leg against AJ Auxerre.

Leg injury
The 21-year-old Argentinian defender is struggling to overcome an injury to his right leg, and will be closely monitored in the next few days. Xamax meet Auxerre at the La Maladière stadium in Switzerland on 15 October.

Striking difficulties
In addition, Congolese striker Mobulu M'Futi has an ankle problem he picked up in last Sunday's league defeat at BSC Young Boys, while fellow forward Joel Griffiths sustained a thigh injury in the same game. Both, however, are expected to be fit to face the Ligue 1 outfit.

Slender lead
Auxerre will travel to Neuchatel seeking to preserve the 1-0 first-leg lead given to them by Bonaventure Kalou's sixth-minute goal in France.