Defender Ludovic Magnin has been ruled out of Switzerland's squad for Saturday's crucial Euro 2004 Group 10 qualifier against Ireland because of injury, the Swiss FA (SFV) confirmed today.
"Ludovic Magnin will be unavailable for the game against Ireland in Basel after tearing leg muscle fibres in training with (his club) Werder Bremen," said a spokeswoman for the SFV.
"No replacement has yet been named." Magnin had originally been named in Koebi Kuhn's squad despite missing Switzerland's last Euro 2004 qualifying fixture with Russia in Moscow on September 10th, also through injury.
Attacking midfielder Hakan Yakin is also a doubt because of a foot injury, while midfielder Ricardo Cabanas is suspended after being dismissed in Russia.
Just one point separates Switzerland, at the top of Group 10 with 12 points, from second-placed Russia and Ireland in third.