Seedorf returns to Oranje squad

Clarence Seedorf has been added to the Netherlands squad to face England in a Wednesday friendly. The 30-year-old AC Milan midfielder has received a call-up after Wesley Sneijder suffered a knee injury in AFC Ajax's 1-0 home loss to PSV Eindhoven on Sunday. Seedorf, capped 77 times, last appeared at international level in the UEFA EURO 2004™ semi-final defeat by Portugal, having been excluded since Marco van Basten became coach for FIFA World Cup qualifying. AZ Alkmaar defender Tim de Cler replaces Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has an achilles injury, while Robin van Persie is unavailable for family reasons.

England have been shorn of the services of Tottenham Hotspur FC duo Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Jenas for the friendly in Amsterdam. The 19-year-old Lennon, who had been tipped to start, has a knee injury while the 23-year-old Jenas has a calf problem and has been substituted by Kieran Richardson in the squad. Defenders Gary Neville and Ledley King, midfielders Scott Parker and Stewart Downing, and striker Darren Bent have also withdrawn due to injury, while goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is out for personal reasons.

Sergei Ignashevich has finally been ruled out of Russia's Group E trip to F.Y.R. Macedonia after failing to shake off a knee injury. The 27-year-old PFC CSKA Moskva centre-half has been struggling with the problem since his club's Premier-Liga match against FC Zenit St. Petersburg on 5 November.

Romania coach Victor Piturca has omitted Adrian Mutu for Wednesday's friendly against Spain because he believes the 27-year-old ACF Fiorentina striker will not be able to focus fully on the match after his daughter's christening. "I decided to drop Mutu after we had a discussion," Piturca said. "He is christening his daughter at the weekend and I believe he would struggle to concentrate on our game in Cadiz." Spain and Liverpool FC midfielder Luis García is also out of contention due to the leg injury which kept him out of his club's 3-0 Premiership defeat at Arsenal FC.

Olympique Lyonnais forwards Karim Benzema and Sidney Govou are out of France's midweek meeting with Greece in Paris. The 18-year-old Benzema suffered a thigh tear during Lyon's win against Valenciennes FC on Friday, when Govou also pulled a muscle.

Republic of Ireland coach Steve Staunton has lost the services of Stephen Carr and Stephen Ireland for the Group D visit of San Marino to Dublin. Newcastle United FC right-back Carr has an ankle problem while Manchester City FC midfielder Ireland is suffering from a virus. Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane and Jonathan Douglas should overcome knocks to play.

Denmark will have a depleted squad for their friendly in the Czech Republic on Friday after four more players withdrew. Coach Morten Olsen has opted to rest forward Jon Dahl Tomasson and midfielder Claus Jensen, while Fiorentina winger Martin Jørgensen and defender Per Krøldrup were injured in their club's 3-1 defeat of Atalanta BC. Defender Per Nielsen, midfielders Jan Kristiansen and Mikkel Thygesen, and striker Jesper Bech have been drafted in. Martin Laursen and Dennis Rommedahl are other withdrawals.

Turkey have selected veteran striker Hakan Sükür for Wednesday's friendly against Italy despite speculation after his previous appearance that the 35-year-old would retire from the national team. Coach Fatih Terim has also recalled midfielder Emre Belözoğlu following a suspension, while MKE Ankaragücü goalkeeper Serkan Kirintili earned his first call-up.

APOEL FC midfielder Chrysostomous Michail is an injury worry for Cyprus's Group D encounter with Germany after twisting his ankle in training. Michail has joined defenders Lambros Lambrou (pulled muscle) and Elias Charalambous (knee) on the list rated doubtful for the game in Nicosia. With midfielder Constantinos Charalambides also struggling with a knee complaint, coach Angelos Anastasiadis has called up Asimakis Krassas from Greek club Apollon Kalamarias FC.