Veteran Onopko ruled out

Russian veteran Viktor Onopko is out of the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Switzerland on Saturday with a torn hip muscle.

No replacements
The Rayo Vallecano defender, capped a record 105 times by Russia, sustained the injury in training and now is certain to miss the Group 10 match in Basel. Coach Valeri Gazzaev, who has five remaining fit defenders - Alexei and Vasili Berezoutski, Yuri Kovtun, Denis Evsikov and Sergei Ignashevitch - said: "There is no time to replace him with anyone now."

Crowe out
The Republic of Ireland could overtake Russia with victory against Albania, but will be without Bohemian FC striker Glen Crowe for the Dublin fixture with a knee injury. Irish manager Brian Kerr is hoping that Crowe will recover in time to face Georgia on Wednesday, and has confirmed that goalkeeper Shay Given and midfield player Steven Reid will be fit for Saturday after coming through a practice match.

Olsen doubt
Norway are waiting to hear if Frode Olsen will miss Saturday's Group 2 game against Denmark in Copenhagen after their first-choice goalkeeper suffered an ankle injury in training. Rosenborg BK goalkeeper Espen Johnsen is likely to step in if Olsen is out, while Odds BK's Erik Holtan has been called up as cover. Group leaders Norway are three points ahead of Denmark.

Armenian worries
FC Zenit St. Peterburg defender Sargis Hovsepyan and Kryliya Sovetov midfield player Karen Dokhoyan are both doubtful for Armenia's Group 6 meeting with Ukraine in Lvov, having suffered injuries in their most recent matches for their Russian clubs.

Popov injured
F.Y.R Macedonia midfield player Robert Popov has been ruled out of the Group 7 qualifiers against Liechtenstein on Saturday and Turkey four days later with a right knee injury picked up during training. Striker Aguinaldo de Jesus Braga was already ruled out, while defender Boban Grncarov is doubtful. Midfield player Vladimir Sekulovski and strikers Dragan Dimitrovski and Arben Nuhiji have been drafted in as cover.

Oper strain
Estonia could be without striker Andres Oper for their Group 8 encounter with Andorra on Saturday due to a thigh muscle strain. Oper has only a 50-50 chance of playing, but coach Arno Pijpers will hope to call on him with Indrek Zelinski suspended. Winger Sergei Terehhov also has a thigh injury but Joel Lindpere is fit and could be used in attack while defender Raio Piiroja is also available after injury.

Keisi injunction
Adoram Keisi will not take part in Israel's vital Group 1 fixture with Slovenia in Turkey after his estranged wife took out a temporary injunction preventing him from leaving the country. Defender Murad Megamadov could play after being granted Israeli citizenship.

Silas called up
Finally, Portugal winger Simão has tendinitis and will miss the friendlies against Paraguay on 6 June and Bolivia four days later. UD Leiria playmaker Silas could win his second cap after being called into the squad as a replacement.