Romania boss Victor Piturca is down to the bare bones in some positions as he prepares his Romania side to face the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
A host of defensive injuries have left Victor Piturca reeling as he calls together his Romania squad to meet the Netherlands in Constanta and Luxembourg away from home.
Cosmin Contra and Mirel Radoi are definitely out, while Cristian Chivu and Gabriel Tamas are doubtful after injuries sustained for Inter and Celta Vigo (respectively) at the weekend.
What's more, 'keeper Danut Coman is injured, as are Razvan Cocis, Ianis Zicu and Recreativo's Laurentiu Rosu have been left out to recover from their respective afflictions.
There are some unusual names in the squad - George Ogararu and Florin Bratu, for example - but the Tricolorii are confident of picking up a vital win over the Netherlands to cement top spot in Group G.
Defenders: George Ogararu (AFC Ajax), Petre Marin (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Gabriel Tamas (AJ Auxerre), Dorin Goian (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Cristian Chivu (FC Internazionale Milano), Marius Marcel Constantin (FC Rapid Bucureşti), Razvan Rat (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Stefan Radu (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti).
Midfielders: Ovidiu Petre (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Andrei Margaritescu (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti), Sorin Paraschiv (Rimini Calcio), Adrian Cristea (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti), Nicolae Dică (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Paul Codrea (AC Siena).
Forwards: Bănel Nicoliţă (FC Steaua Bucureşti), Gheorghe Bucur (FC Politehnica 1921 Ştiinţa Timişoara), Adrian Mutu (ACF Fiorentina), Florin Bratu (FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti), Ciprian Marica (VfB Stuttgart), Daniel Niculae (AJ Auxerre).
02 October 2007
PSV Eindhoven midfielder Kenneth Perez has been recalled to the Denmark squad for the UEFA EURO 2008 Group F qualifiers against Spain and Latvia after making himself available once again to coach Morten Olsen.
The 33-year-old, who last appeared for Denmark against France in May 2006, finds himself in a 19-man squad - with four more players to be added on Friday - for the matches on 13 October in Aarhus and Copenhagen four days later.
Olsen said: "Kenneth Perez is a player with lots of international experience, he is good at holding on to the ball and at playing the right passes. He is also good in matches that we have to dominate, and scores goals."
Olsen also welcomes back Sevilla FC midfielder Christian Poulsen after a three-match suspension following his sending-off against Sweden in June.
"He's an important player and has become even better than he used to be," said the coach. "I saw him recently for Sevilla against Arsenal [FC], when he was the best player on the pitch."
Denmark are fourth in Group F, five points behind the leaders Spain with two games in hand.
Denmark squad
Goalkeepers: Thomas Sørensen (Aston Villa FC), Jesper Christiansen (FC København), Stephan Andersen (Brøndby IF).
Defenders: Brian Priske (Club Brugge KV), Martin Laursen (Aston Villa FC), Michael Gravgaard (FC København), Thomas Helveg (Odense BK), Niclas Jensen (FC København).
Midfielders: Christian Poulsen (Sevilla FC), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Kenneth Perez (PSV Eindhoven), Leon Andreasen (Werder Bremen), Thomas Kahlenberg (AJ Auxerre).
Forwards: Dennis Rommedahl (AFC Ajax), Jesper Grønkjær (FC København), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Villarreal CF), Morten Nordstrand (FC København), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal FC), Simon Busk Poulsen (FC Midtjylland).
