Injuries force international changes

Roberto Donadoni, Luis Aragonés and Joachim Löw are just three of the coaches forced to make changes to their squads ahead of this week's international friendlies, which for many are the last before they begin their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaigns.

Italy v Croatia
ACF Fiorentina's Alessandro Gamberini has been called up by Donadoni to replace injured AC Milan defender Daniele Bonera for Wednesday's friendly in Livorno. Gamberini, 24, is the eighth uncapped player selected by new coach Donadoni with third-choice keeper Marco Amelia the only survivor from the FIFA World Cup-winning squad.

Iceland v Spain
FC Barcelona captain Carles Puyol and playmaker Xavi Hernández will miss Spain's game in Iceland on Tuesday because of minor knocks sustained on their club's tour of the United States. Iceland have also suffered a blow ahead of the Reykjavik encounter with captain Eidur Gudjohnsen, another Barcelona man, withdrawing because of injury.

Germany v Sweden
Defender Christoph Metzelder has pulled out of the Germany party for the match against Sweden due to a knee complaint picked up at the weekend. The BV Borussia Dortmund player makes way for uncapped 22-year-old Hertha BSC Berlin starlet Malik Fathi. Coach Löw's debut squad is also shorn of Michael Ballack and Sebastian Kehl. Meanwhile, Sweden No1 Andreas Isaksson has been replaced by John Alvbåge of Viborg FF to allow the former to settle at new club Manchester City FC. Alvbåge, 24, has two caps.

Czech Republic v Serbia
The Czech Republic will be without Tomáš Rosický for the visit to Serbia after the Arsenal FC midfielder succumbed to a groin problem. Jiří Jarošík also misses out, giving an opportunity to Hannover 96 forward Jirí Štajner and FK Mladá Boleslav striker Marek Kulič. Serbia's new boss Javier Clemente has added Under-21 internationals Miloš Krasić and Branislav Ivanović to his 18-man roster, as Marko Lomić and Marko Baša are injured.

Denmark v Poland
FC København winger Jesper Grønkjær has dropped out of Denmark's team to play in Odense on Wednesday because of groin trouble. Christian Poulsen, Søren Larsen and Daniel Jensen were earlier withdrawals.

England v Greece
Nikolaos Georgeas has received his first Greece call-up after Giourkas Seitaridis damaged an ankle in action for Club Atlético de Madrid at the weekend. The 29-year-old AEK Athens FC right-back could therefore feature for the European champions at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Luxembourg v Turkey
Striker Gökhan Ünal is out of contention for Turkey after hurting his foot playing for Kayserispor on Sunday. Coach Fatih Terim will not replace Ünal but has drafted in a deputy for injured keeper Hakan Arýkan (hand) - Trabzonspor's Tolga Zengin.

Republic of Ireland v Netherlands
Home coach Steve Staunton has lost the services of six players for the Dublin friendly. Staunton already knew he would be without keeper Shay Given and midfielder Stephen Ireland but on Sunday, Robbie Keane, Terry Dixon, Richard Dunne and Alan Lee also withdrew. There are late call-ups for Blackburn Rovers FC midfielder Jonathan Douglas and Sunderland AFC forward Daryl Murphy. Uncapped Theo Janssen has joined the visiting party. The 25-year-old BV Vitesse midfielder comes in for Wesley Sneijder, whose wife is expecting a baby.

Romania v Cyprus
Romania coach Victor Piturca has chosen 38-year-old Dorinel Munteanu for Wednesday's fixture in the Black Sea port of Constanta. The midfielder is joined by Stefan Grigorie, recalled after a three-year absence, but injuries keep out Sorin Paraschiv and Dorin Goian. Piturca's opposite number Angelos Anastasiadis is deprived of Michalis Konstantinou while British-Cypriot defender Thomas Williams is a surprise inclusion.

Switzerland v Liechtenstein
Switzerland's Hamburger SV midfielder Raphaël Wicky has been ruled out with a calf complaint. The 29-year-old joins Valon Behrami and Philippe Senderos on Jakob Kuhn's casualty list. BSC Young Boys forward Hakan Yakin and German-based duo Marco Streller and David Degen are rated doubtful.

Wales v Bulgaria