Football United

Group 1
The Netherlands and Czech Republic open their qualifying campaigns with a meeting in Amsterdam, both with major injury problems. New Dutch coach Marco van Basten is without Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooij so veteran striker Pierre van Hooijdonk starts in the centre flanked by Dirk Kuijt and Romeo Castelen. The Czech Republic are missing Pavel Nedved, Tomás Galásek, Karel Poborský and Vladimir Šmicer. Also in Group 1, Mika Väyrynen should start for Finland against Armenia on his return from suspension.

Group 2
After losing to Albania, European champions Greece are still without Traianos Dellas for the home match against a Turkey side missing Ergün Penbe. Ergün is still struggling with the foot injury that kept him out of Saturday's draw with Georgia. Bülent Korkmaz, Servet Çetin and Hakan Sükür face late fitness tests. Also in Group 2 Kazakhstan have dropped striker Andrei Filonenko from the squad to face Ukraine for disciplinary reasons. Zurab Khizanishvili will miss Georgia's tie with Albania after being concussed against Turkey, but Levan Kobiashvili and Alexandre Iashvili are available.

Group 3
Slovakia are without suspended defender Stanislav Varga against Liechtenstein, with Jozef Valachovic called up as cover. For Estonia, Taavi Rähn is suspended so Marko Kristal or Liivo Leetma could come in to face Portugal, while Marek Lemsalu has replaced winger Maksim Smirnov in the squad. Latvia have released Andrejs Pavlovs and Vadims Logins for the tie with Luxembourg while Marian Pahars is injured. Under-21 internationals Gilles Engeldinger and Daniel Collette have replaced the injured Daniel Huss and Claude Reiter in Liechtenstein's squad, meanwhile.

Group 4
Roy Keane could return for the Republic of Ireland against Switzerland but Damien Duff (calf) is doubtful. Opponents Switzerland, meanwhile, have doubts surrounding Christoph Spycher after the left-back aggravated a long-standing thigh injury in training on Monday, while midfield player Raphael Wicky picked up a calf injury on Tuesday, so SC Freiburg defender Bruno Berner has been called into the squad. Israel have injury problems as they look to build on Saturday's draw with France at home to Cyprus. Shai Holtzman, Yossi Shivhon and Roni Gafni come in for the injured Yigal Antebi, Shimon Gershon and Avi Strul, while Yossi Benayoun(knee) faces a fitness test. Benoit Pedretti and Djibril Cissé could return for France who are expected to revert to a 4-4-2 formation against the Faroe Islands.

Group 5
Serghey Dadu and Alexey Savinov are suffering from minor injuries, but should start for Moldova against Italy. Andrey Corneencov has joined the squad after missing Saturday's 3-0 defeat against Slovenia. Alessandro del Piero will return for Italy in place of Fabrizio Miccoli while Andrea Pirlo comes in for Daniele De Rossi as coach Marcello Lippi rings the changes despite beating Norway.

Group 6
Ben Thatcher will return for Wales against Northern Ireland and John Oster could also start. George McCartney is available for Northern Ireland after suspension, and Colin Murdock could replace Stephen Craigan as coach Lawrie Sanchez looks to tighten up after Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Poland. The Poles face England next, for whom David Beckham should be fit to play.

Group 7
Lithuania take on San Marino without Tomas Razanauskas, Deividas Cesnauskis, Tomas Zvirgzdauskas and Deividas Semberas. Gediminas Butrimavicius has joined the squad, but captain Aurelijus Skarbalius remains doubtful because of a leg injury.

Group 8
Dusan Kerkez has been called up by Bosnia-Herzegovina after Muhamed Konjic, Zlatan Bajramovic, Asim Sehic and Ivica Grlic were ruled out of the squad to face Spain through injury. Raúl González and Fernando Morientes are both expected to start for Spain after dropping to the bench against Scotland. Finally, with Szabolcs Huszti suspended, Balázs Farkas and Róbert Waltner have been called up for Hungary's game against Iceland. Sándor Torghelle and Imre Szabics are Hungary's only injury doubts.

Source: Uefa.com