UEFA Updates!

Sick Gudjonsson sits out Iceland trip

Iceland midfielder Johannes Gudjonsson has withdrawn from the squad to face Denmark in Wednesday's Group F qualifier due to illness. The Burnley FC player will be replaced by Ásgeir Ásgeirsson of FH Hafnarfjördur for the match in Copenhagen.

Adriano given Brazil training break

FC Internazionale Milano forward Adriano will return to Brazil to undergo a personalised training regime. The 25-year-old has played only four games in Serie A this season and was omitted from Inter's UEFA Champions League squad. "The aim is to give Adriano a period of individual training sessions, which will conclude on 1 January," the Italian title-holders said.

Finland delay Litmanen decision

Finland will wait until Saturday before deciding whether to use Jari Litmanen in their Group A qualifier against Azerbaijan. The 36-year-old Malmö FF forward has trained all week but has not played a competitive match since June. "The preparation has not been ideal but I have trained for four days with the team," said Litmanen. "It's great to be back, but whether I will play — or whether I am needed — will be decided later."

Three-month lay-off for Betis keeper

Real Betis Balompié goalkeeper Antonio Doblas has been ruled out for three months having damaged his ankle in a practice match. The 27-year-old will undergo surgery on Monday to repair ligament damage to his left ankle.

Van Basten omits six Oranje

Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has omitted six players from his 24-man squad to tackle Luxembourg on Saturday. Henk Timmer, Tim de Cler, Kew Jaliens, Nigel de Jong, Hedwiges Maduro and Klaas Jan Huntelaar will play no part in Rotterdam but remain on stand-by for Wednesday's Group G game in Belarus.

Ivica Osim in intensive care

Japan's Bosnia-Herzegovnian coach Ivica Osim is in a serious condition after having a stroke. "His situation is very unstable and at this stage it is not appropriate to give long-term prospects," said Japan Football Association president Saburo Kawabuchi. Osim, 66, played for FK Željezničar and three French clubs before becoming a coach. He guided Yugoslavia to the 1990 FIFA World Cup.


Gudjohnsen explains Iceland walkout

Iceland captain Eidur Gudjohnsen has explained his withdrawal from the squad to play Denmark on 21 November. "I've had a good conversation with coach Ólafur Jóhannesson and I think he understood my reasons," said the FC Barcelona forward. "This is for personal reasons which I will discuss further."

Valencia vexed by Baraja injury

Valencia CF face a nervous wait to discover the damage sustained by midfielder Rubén Baraja when he injured his leg in a training-ground collision with team-mate Edu. The 32-year-old has a swollen left thigh and will undergo tests over the weekend.

Austria lose Ibertsberger for England

Defender Andreas Ibertsberger will miss Austria's friendly with England this evening because of a groin injury. The complaint could also rule the 25-year-old SC Freiburg player out of Wednesday's match against Tunisia. Martin Stranzl sat out training yesterday due to back trouble and faces a late fitness test.

Domenech keeps eyes on Ukraine

France coach Raymond Domenech says he will use tonight's friendly against Morocco in Paris as a chance to fine-tune his squad ahead of Wednesday's final UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Ukraine. "It is a preparation game for us," he said. "We will rest players who need rest and give playing time to those who need it so that everyone arrives in Ukraine at the same level."

Carson to make England debut

Aston Villa FC goalkeeper Scott Carson will make his England debut in Friday's friendly against Austria. Carson, who is on loan from Liverpool FC, is joined in the team by David Beckham who returns to England's midfield after a four-game absence. "I've wanted to have a look at Scott for a long time and I think he's deserved this after his performances for the Under-21s," said manager Steve McClaren.