Israel's Katan heads withdrawals

Forward Yaniv Katan has withdrawn from the Israel squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E qualifiers against England and Estonia because he is suffering from a cracked rib sustained in Maccabi Haifa FC's 4-0 UEFA Cup defeat at RCD Espanyol last week. "I have been so unlucky with injuries this season," said the 26-year-old. Katan recently recovered from a torn eyelid incurred when an opponent accidentally trod on his face.

England have made 27-year-old Charlton Athletic FC defender Luke Young the third late call-up to their squad for the away games against Israel and Andorra. Left-sided midfielder Gareth Barry and striker David Nugent were added to the travelling party earlier in the week.

Group E leaders Croatia will be shorn of striker Mladen Petrić for Saturday’s visit of F.Y.R. Macedonia due to an ankle complaint. "Petrić felt better on Tuesday and tried to run today but was in pain when making the most basic moves so he is definitely out for Saturday," coach Slaven Bilić said of the 26-year-old from FC Basel 1893. "Bosko Balaban, Ivica Olić and Igor Budan are all in good form, are regular starters for their clubs and are scoring goals so we have plenty of strikers."

Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie has withdrawn from the squad to face Georgia and Italy in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B. The West Ham United FC player has been suffering from a left ankle injury picked up in Premiership action earlier this month. In midfield, Scotland were already without the injured Darren Fletcher.

Iceland coach Eyjólfur Sverrisson has been forced to make two changes to his selection for next Wednesday's Group F assignment in Spain as defender Hermann Hreidarsson is sidelined by a knee injury while midfielder Johannes ‘Joey’ Gudjonsson is awaiting the birth of his child. In come FC Lyn Oslo defender Indridi Sigurdsson and Silkeborg IF's Hólmar Örn Rúnarsson, the latter being a first-time nominee.

Moldova have lost three players before their Group C double-header against Malta and Hungary. FC Rubin Kazan attacking midfielder Alexandru Gatcan (groin), FK Aktobe striker Serghei Rogaciov and FC Alma-Ata forward Victor Berco (ankle) are all out so coach Igor Dobrovolski has turned to SC Vaslui midfielder Denis Zmeu.