Pahars looks to lift Latvia

Lengthy lay-off
The Southampton FC striker has not played since November 2002, and Starkovs admitted his chances of participating in the first leg in Riga were very slim. "He sustained another minor injury on Monday, but we need him anyway," said the Latvia coach. "He can turn the team on, increase morale or calm down any player if it's needed. The team, the fans and the press all need Pahars. How could I not call him up?"

Defensive doubts
Latvia are without defenders Mihails Zemlinskis and Dzintars Zirnis for the first match on 15 November through suspension, and Starkovs admitted both would be missed, saying: "Their suspension is a huge blow for us, and I don't think we can replace them. We could replace one of them, but when two key players are missing it's hard to find a solution. I am still looking for my best defence."

Korablevs call
One possible solution is FK Ventspils defender Igors Korablevs, who returns to the squad. "He is needed as a right-back," cofirmed Starkovs. "He is an experienced player, who can do well from the start or as a sub".

Laizans lift
PFC CSKA Moskva midfield player Juris Laizans, who helped his club to the Russian Premier League title last week, returns from suspension and is fit to play despite picking up a minor injury in the last Premier-Liga game.

Prohorenkovs prognosis
However, striker Andrejs Prohorenkovs of Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC is still missing. "We could not call on Prohorenkovs, who is not doing too well," the coach confirmed. "It looks like he will need surgery to heal the injury he sustained against Poland."

Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Vanins, Igors N Stepanovs, Blagonadezdins, Zemlinskis, Isakovs, Lobanovs, Zirnis, Smirnovs, Korablevs, Astafjevs, Laizans, Bleidelis, Rubins, Kolesnicenko, Semjonovs, Pucinskis, Verpakovskis, Miholaps, Štolcers, Pahars, Dobrecovs.