Berkovic not ready for Cyprus test

Israel coach Avraham Grant has named a 21-man squad for next Wednesday's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Cyprus in Palermo.

Berkovic still recovering
Manchester City FC's Eyal Berkovic, who is still recovering from a hernia operation, has been left of the squad along with fellow injury victim Avi Nimni of Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC. Long-term injuries have also kept out Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC defensive duo Shimon Gershon and Assi Domb, while a fractured ankle has ruled out Maccabi's Baruch Dago for the rest of the season.

Further problems
Grant's injury problems do not stop there with Yigal Antebi of Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Haifa FC's Adoram Keisi both doubtful after undergoing scans yesterday on hamstring injuries sustained during Wednesday's league matches. Keisi's teammate and fellow defender Alon Harazi, who missed Haifa's 1-1 draw against Maccabi Petach-Tikva, is also an injury concern.

Benayoun doubt
Aside from the injury concerns Grant is also facing problems regarding the release of Yossi Benayoun from his Spanish club Real Racing Club Santander. According to FIFA regulations, Benayoun should be released for international duty four days before a match. However the Spanish club, who are battling against relegation, would like to keep hold of the player until after Sunday's away game at Málaga CF.

'I don't understand'
"I am not sure what the exact situation about Benayoun's release is at the moment," Grant said. "The IFA [Israel Football Association] approached both the club as well as FIFA requesting Benayoun's release and I don't understand what seems to be their problem."

Training sessions
The squad will hold a training session at the national stadium on Friday morning and meet up again on Saturday evening before retiring to their headquarters in Casearea. Two training sessions are scheduled for Sunday while on Monday the team will train before leaving for Palermo.

Crucial game
On Tuesday, the day before the Group 1 game, there will not be a training session as Holocaust remembrance day is observed. "The team has to observe this solemn day as part of our heritage," Grant said. Israel are currently third in the group with four points from three games. They drew 1-1 with the Cypriots when they faced them in a qualifier last month.
 
Israel squad
Awat, Elimelech, Keisi, Benado, Harazi, Zano, Brumer, Ben Haim, Antebi, Uzan, Tal, Badier, Zandberg, Abuksis, Luz, Afek, Banin, Turgeman, Holtzman, Benayoun, Revivo.