Latvia try out uncapped pair

Jurijs Žigajevs and Andrejs Butriks have received first international call-ups for Latvia's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Iceland and Denmark.

Uncapped talent
Aleksandrs Starkovs has decided to take a look at FK Riga attacking midfielder Žigajevs and FK Ventspils forward Butriks in the absence of SK Liepajas Metalurgs winger Andrejs Rubins and Ventspils midfielder Jevgenijs Kosmacovs. Key defender Igors Stepanovs is included despite nursing an injury while No1 goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko is back on board after overcoming a knock. Latvia, who cannot qualify, visit Iceland on 13 October and Denmark four days later.

Latvia squad
Goalkeepers: Aleksandrs Kolinko (FC Rubin Kazan), Andris Vanins (FK Ventspils), Deniss Romanovs (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti).

Defenders: Deniss Ivanovs (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Dzintars Zirnis (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Oskars Klava (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Kaspars Gorkšs (Blackpool FC), Deniss Kacanovs (FK Ventspils), Pavels Surnins (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Igors Stepanovs (Esbjerg fB).

Midfielders: Vitalijs Astafjevs (Skonto FC), Juris Laizans (FC Kuban Krasnodar), Imants Bleidelis (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Genadijs Solonicins (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Aleksejs Višnakovs (Skonto FC), Jurijs Žigajevs (FK Riga).

Forwards: Maris Verpakovskis (HNK Hajduk Split), Girts Karlsons (SK Liepajas Metalurgs), Marians Pahars (Anorthosis Famagusta FC), Vits Rimkus (FK Ventspils), Andrejs Butriks (FK Ventspils).