Magnin misses Swiss decider

Switzerland will be without defender Ludovic Magnin for Saturday's UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 10 decider against the Republic of Ireland.

Injured in training
The Swiss Football Association (SFV-ASF) has confirmed that Magnin is injured for the game, where Group 10 leaders Switzerland can clinch a place in Portugal. An SFV-ASF spokesman said: "Ludovic Magnin will be unavailable for the game against Ireland in Basel after tearing leg muscle fibres in training with [SV] Werder Bremen. No replacement has yet been named." Magnin previously missed Switzerland's 4-1 defeat in Russia on 10 September, also through injury.

Arveladze faces tests
Also in Group 10, striker Shota Arveladze is a doubt for Georgia as they prepare to face Russia. He will have medical tests on his left knee in Germany ahead of Saturday's match in Moscow.

Davies ruled out
Wales midfield player Simon Davies will miss their Group 9 qualifier against Serbia and Montenegro with groin and hip injuries picked up in last month's the 1-1 home draw with Finland. Robert Page and Andy Johnson are also out while midfield player Robbie Savage is doubtful because of tendonitis.

Turkish decision
Turkey will leave it until the last minute before deciding on striker Hakan Sukur's availability for the Group 7 decider against England. Technical director Can Cobanoglu said: "Hakan is very important - we need him. We will leave the decision on his fitness until Saturday."

France doubts
Group 1 winners France could be without Chelsea FC team-mates Marcel Desailly and William Gallas for the visit of Israel. Coach Jacques Santini said: "There are doubts about Gallas and Desailly. Gallas is currently in [team doctor] Jean-Marcel Ferret's hands. As far as Desailly is concerned, he will undergo medical tests today." Gallas has a bruised fibula while Desailly's problem is undisclosed.

Iceland duo absent
Tryggvi Gudmundsson and Gylfi Einarsson are out of Iceland's squad for the visit to Group 5 leaders Germany. Striker Ríhardur Dadason, midfield player Bjarni Gudjónsson and defender Hjálmar Jónsson are the three players brought back by coaches Ásgeir Sigurvinsson and Logi Ólafsson following last month's goalless draw with the Germans.

No Gray
Scotland, who face Lithuania in the group's other game, have been unable to call up Andy Gray as a replacement for injured striker Paul Dickov as the Bradford City FC midfield player has been suffering from illness. Winger Neil McCann's absence has also been confirmed due to an ankle problem.

Northern Ireland miss pair
Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh have pulled out of Northern Ireland's squad to face Group 6 leaders Greece in Athens because of calf and hamstring injuries respectively. Shaun Holmes and Jeff Whitley have been drafted into the squad.