No good news for Norway

More problems
Already missing AS Roma striker John Carew, who withdrew from the squad citing "personal reasons", the injured Ole Gunnar Solskjær and suspended André Bergdølmo, Norway coach Nils Johan Semb - whose side need three points to have any chance of finishing in the top two in Group 2 - has been hit by problems to a trio of British-based players.

Berg birth
Aston Villa FC defender Ronny Johnsen is out with a hamstring injury, while Wolverhampton Wanderers FC forward Steffen Iversen is sidelined with a muscle strain. Even more damagingly, there are question marks surrounding the availability of captain Henning Berg, as the Rangers FC defender's wife is due to give birth.

Defensive doubts
Meanwhile, Chelsea FC centre-backs Marcel Desailly and William Gallas are doubtful for France's final Group 1 match with Israel in Paris. Gallas is expected to overcome an ankle injury, while Desailly has a hip complaint. As a precaution, AS Monaco FC defender Sébastien Squillaci has been called into Jacques Santini's squad for the first time.

'Strong competition'
"It's a surprise for me," the 23-year-old said. "Although Monaco are doing well in the league and the [UEFA] Champions League, competition is strong for a place in the centre of the French defence."

Maric misses out
Croatia forward Marijo Maric is likely to miss Saturday's Group 8 qualifier against Bulgaria having injured knee ligaments in Austrian side FC Kärnten's 3-0 defeat by SK Sturm Graz on Sunday. Croatia coach Otto Baric said: "Unfortunately we have lost him at a time when he was in very good form." The Bulgarians have lost defender Ilian Stoianov to a stomach injury, and Elin Topuzakov is due to deputise.

Goalkeeping cover
In the same group, Belgium coach Aimé Anthuenis has made a late change to his squad to face Estonia, with RCD Espanyol goalkeeper Erwin Lemmens brought in as cover for first-choice Geert De Vlieger who is not 100 per cent fit.

Stankovic setback
Serbia and Montenegro midfield player Dejan Stankovic is out of his country's Group 9 game against Wales in Cardiff. With Serbia and Montenegro already eliminated, the S.S. Lazio player has pulled out of the squad to avoid aggravating a muscle injury.

Mostovoi mystery
Meanwhile, Russia's decisive encounter with Georgia in Group 10 is also affected by injuries. Russia's Aleksandr Mostovoi is struggling with a shoulder problem and rates his chances of playing as "50-50", although fellow midfield player Aleksei Smertin is back in training after a fitness scare. Georgia's Shota Arveladze will not travel to Moscow because of a knee injury.

Hutchison in
Scotland have named Don Hutchison as a replacement for Paul Devlin who has withdrawn from their squad for the decisive Group 5 qualifier against Lithuania because of a hamstring problem. Defender Christian Dailly, who is awaiting the birth of his child, should join up with his team-mates on Thursday.

Litmanen switch
Elsewhere, Finland coach Antti Muurinen has been forced to reshuffle his pack ahead of their friendly against Canada - with Jari Litmanen lacking match fitness after an achilles injury. "Jari is fit, but this game comes a little bit too soon for him," explained Muurinen, who has called up Mika Kottila in place of the AFC Ajax forward.

Deco withdrawal
The hosts of next summer's finals, Portugal, will be without Deco for Saturday's friendly against Albania in Lisbon, after the FC Porto playmaker asked to be omitted for personal reasons. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has responded by drafting right-back Paulo Ferreira and midfield player Tiago into his squad.