Petkovic puts faith in new faces

By Aleksandar Boskovic

Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic has included the uncapped trio Oliver Kovacevic, Dusan Basta and Mirko Vucinic in his 20-man squad to face Spain in the FIFA World Cup qualifying game in Belgrade on 30 March.

Youngsters elevated
The Group 7 leaders will warm up for their Spanish encounter by playing a friendly against fourth division FK Senta on 27 March. FK Crvena Zvezda right-back Basta and US Lecce forward Vucinic could make their international debuts in Belgrade having been promoted from the Under-21 side along with midfield player Simon Vukcevic, though goalkeeper Kovacevic is likely to miss out with Dragoslav Jevric Petkovic's preferred No1.

Vukic suspension
FC Shakhtar Donetsk midfield player Zvonimir Vukic is not included in the squad as he is serving a one-match suspension having picked up two yellow cards in qualification.

Serbia and Montenegro squad
Jevric (BB Ankaraspor), Kovacevic (FK Zeleznik), Cirkovic (FK Partizan), Dragutinovic (R. Standard de Liège), Gavrancic (FC Dinamo Kyiv), Krstajic (FC Schalke 04), Vidic (FC Spartak Moskva), N Djordjevic (FK Partizan), Basta (FK Crvena Zvezda), Stankovic (FC Internazionale Milano), P Djordjevic (Olympiacos CFP), Duljaj (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Mladenovic (Real Sociedad de Fútbol), Koroman (FC Krylya Sovetov), Ilic (FK Partizan), Vukcevic (FK Partizan), Milosevic (CA Osasuna), Kezman (Chelsea FC), Jestrovic (RSC Anderlecht), Vucinic (US Lecce).