Semb waits on Norway stars

Injury worries
Midfield player Martin Andresen - who this week was voted player of the year in the Tippeliga - forwards Steffen Iversen and Frode Johnsen, goalkeeper Frode Olsen and full-back André Bergdølmo are all struggling to be fit for the game because of injuries or illness. "We are hoping to get all of them back on their feet by the end of the week," team doctor Thor Einar Andersen said.

Semb 'confident'
Norway coach Nils Johan Semb – who has called Rosenborg BK defender Ståle Stensaas into his party - oversaw his first training session in Spain yesterday, and was not overly concerned that five of his 20-man party remained on the sidelines. "I'm confident that all of them will be ready by Saturday," said Semb.

Back in training
Norway's opponents, Spain, received a boost when Real Betis Balompié winger Joaquín Sánchez and Real Madrid CF defender Iván Helguera both came through training unscathed today, having sat out yesterday's session. Joaquín missed Betis's Primera División game with FC Barcelona at the weekend because of a groin injury and was still suffering with a pain in his abdomen yesterday, while Helguera has a hamstring problem.

'We want to seal qualification'
"Ideally we would like to seal our qualification in Valencia," Spain coach Iñaki Sáez said. "We have Joaquín doubtful and we will wait and see what the doctors say as to whether he will be able to play or not. Helguera isn't fully fit, he is with the squad but I don't know whether we will be able to count on his services."

Scottish setback
There was bad news for Scotland as midfield player Colin Cameron was ruled out of both play-off games against the Netherlands. Cameron trained at Hampden Park last night, but was hampered by a recurring pelvic injury and team doctors decided to send the player back to his club, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, for further treatment.

Semjonovs injury
Finally, Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs has lost FC Skonto midfield player Igors Semjonovs to an undisclosed injury. The 17-year-old, who made his international debut during his country's Group 4 campaign, will be unavailable for both matches against Turkey, after sustaining the injury while training with Skonto.