Campbell chances recede

Outside chance
The central defender, who has had an achilles problem, will report for England duty today along with his team-mate Francis Jeffers and the Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and John Terry ahead of Saturday's game. Campbell's fitness will be assessed by England's medical team today and he still has an outside chance of playing in Vaduz, although it now seems more likely that he will be rested until the second qualifier at home to Turkey next Wednesday in Sunderland.

Woodgate in contention
"We will have to see how Sol Campbell reacts but I think he will come up short for the Liechtenstein game," Wenger said. Campbell, who could be replaced by Jonathan Woodgate of Newcastle United FC or Gareth Southgate of Middlesbrough FC, has played twice in just over 48 hours despite his injury, because of Arsenal's lack of defensive cover.

Pires doubtful
Meanwhile, Campbell's Arsenal team-mate Robert Pires could miss France's qualifier against Malta in Lens on Saturday because of an ankle injury. Pires was injured in a tackle with Chelsea's Mario Melchiot during Arsenal's win at Stamford Bridge. "We are waiting for him," a French team spokesman said today. "He will be here by midday and we will review his situation with the medical staff this afternoon."

Germany hit by withdrawals
Germany have their problems too and will have to do without the services of midfield player Jens Jeremies and defender Christoph Metzelder when they take on Lithuania in Nürnberg on Saturday in their Group 5 encounter. Jeremies of FC Bayern München has a knee injury while BV Borussia Dortmund's Metzelder has an Achilles problem. The Under-21 international, Andreas Hinkel, of VfB Stuttgart has been added to the squad.

Ketsbaia called up by Georgia
Temuri Ketsbaia, the former Newcastle midfield player, now with Anorthosis Famagusta FC, has been called up to the Georgia squad to face the Republic of Ireland on Saturday in Tbilisi and Switzerland the following Wednesday after the withdrawal through injury yesterday of the AC Milan full-back Kakha Kaladze. Dabisd Kvirkvelia is set to make his debut for Georgia in Saturday's Group 10 game after scoring for FC Dinamo Tbilisi at the weekend. The 22-year-old has only one Under-21 cap to his name.

More injury woe for Ireland
Meanwhile, Ireland have been hit by the withdrawal of three more players, Clinton Morrison, Steven Reid and Steve Finnan, from their squad to face Georgia and Albania. The trio follow Leeds United AFC's Ian Harte who has also pulled out while Robbie Keane is unlikely to play after the death of his father.

Barrett promoted
Morrison, the Birmingham City FC striker, has been ruled out for the remainder of the English season with a dislocated shoulder suffered during a Premiership match against West Bromwich Albion FC at the weekend. Reid and Finnan withdrew after scans on their respective ankle and rib injuries made them unavailable. Graham Barrett, currently on loan from Arsenal to Brighton and Hove Albion FC, has been promoted to the senior squad after originally being selected for the Under-21 game against the Georgians on Friday. Barrett scored on his senior debut for the Republic in an international friendly victory over Finland in August.

Click here for yesterday's EURO 2004™ injury news