Swiss bank on borderline cases

Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn is hoping some top players can overcome injuries after naming his squad for friendlies against Austria and the United States.

Cabanas out
The Swiss face fellow UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Austria in Zurich on 13 October before meeting the United States in Basel. Kuhn is without midfielder Ricardo Cabanas, who will not play again until next year because of a knee injury, while Fabio Celestini, Blaise Nkufo, Germano Vailati, Steve Von Bergen and Hakan Yakin are all selected despite having minor ailments. The quintet will undergo fitness tests next Tuesday.

Switzerland squad
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (CD Nacional), Fabio Coltorti (Grasshopper-Club), Germano Vailati (FC Sion), Pascal Zuberbühler (West Bromwich Albion FC).

Defenders: Philipp Degen (BV Borussia Dortmund), Johan Djourou (Arsenal FC), Stéphane Grichting (AJ Auxerre), Stephan Lichtsteiner (LOSC Lille Métropole), Ludovic Magnin (VfB Stuttgart), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal FC), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha BSC Berlin).

Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Fabio Celestini (Getafe CF), Gelson Fernandes (Manchester City FC), Daniel Gygax (FC Metz), Gökhan Inler (FC Zürich), Xavier Margairaz (CA Osasuna), Hakan Yakin (BSC Young Boys).

Forwards: Alexander Frei (BV Borussia Dortmund), Marco Streller (FC Basel 1893), Johan Vonlanthen (FC Salzburg), Blaise Nkufo (FC Twente).