UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Ruud ruled out

The Dutch are without Ruud van Nistelrooij in Austria, but there was better news for Germany and England.

Ruud van Nistelrooij has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury and will miss the Netherlands' EURO 2004™ qualifying game away to Group 3 leaders Austria on Wednesday.

Van Hooijdonk doubt
The Manchester United FC striker left the Dutch training camp this morning but coach Dick Advocaat will not fill the spot made vacant by the 26-year-old's departure. Advocaat also has doubts over the fitness of Feyenoord striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, who is nursing an ankle injury.

Ballack and Hamann should play
Germany midfield players Michael Ballack and Dietmar Hamann, meanwhile, are both winning their fitness races ahead of the Group 5 match against the Faroe Islands. Ballack had been struggling with flu but he should be available for Germany's second qualifier of the campaign. "He's recovered a great deal and I'm sure he'll play on Wednesday," said Germany assistant coach Michael Skibbe. Hamann is also likely to feature despite a slight ankle injury.

Campbell training
Meanwhile, England, who face F.Y.R. Macedonia on Wednesday night in Southampton, could welcome back Arsenal FC defender Sol Campbell who has returned to training after a bout of gastroenteritis. Campbell is expected to return to the heart of the defence, possibly partnering Middlesbrough FC's Gareth Southgate. Meanwhile midfield player Kieron Dyer has withdrawn from the squad after suffering a recurrence of a back problem.

Savicevic worried
Yugoslavia coach Dejan Savicevic is worried about the fitness of four players ahead of Wednesday's Group 9 qualifier against Finland. "Zoran Mirkovic left the field after just seven minutes [against Italy] on Saturday and, unfortunately, I don't think he will be ready for our next match," Savicevic said. "Milan Dudic could be his replacement but I don't want to make the final decision yet. Goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric and Dejan Stankovic are suffering from flu but I think they'll be fit. Also, I'm not sure about Zoran Njegus whose right leg is injured."

Buryak caught short
Ukraine coach Leonid Buryak, meanwhile, is struggling to find fit defenders ahead of the visit to Northern Ireland. Hennady Moroz is out with a hamstring problem and Andriy Nesmachniy and Victor Skrypnyk are also unavailable. Club Brugge KV midfield player Serhiy Serebrennikov will be absent for several months after limping out of Saturday's game against Greece with a knee problem.

Anthuenis anxious
Belgium coach Aimé Anthuenis has worries over the fitness of a trio of players ahead of the Group 8 match in Estonia, with Bob Peeters (groin), Mbo Mpenza (knee) and Gaetan Englebert (toe) all struggling. Lithuania, meanwhile, will be without their injured captain Raimondas Zutautas for the visit to Iceland. Also out is midfield player Aurelijus Skarbalius, who has returned to Denmark, where he plays for FK København, because his wife is unwell.

Vogts lets quartet go home
Scotland manager Berti Vogts will be without Paul Lambert, Jackie McNamara, Barry Ferguson and Gary Naysmith for the friendly against Canada on Tuesday. Vogts is also set to rest Heart of Midlothian FC defender Steven Pressley so he can take a look at Aberdeen FC youngster Russell Anderson who came on as a late substitute in during Saturday's 2-0 win against Iceland.

McCann not fit
"Ferguson, Lambert, McNamara and Naysmith all have to go back to their clubs because they are hurt and need treatment," Vogts said. "Neil McCann wasn't fit enough to play for us in Iceland and he won't be ready in time for the next game so he's gone back to Rangers [FC] as well. I want to experiment with Russell Anderson in central defence so Pressley will sit out this game."

Selected for you