Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn has said he is prepared to drop two of the country's most senior players in a bid to qualify for next year's European Championship.
Central defender Stephane Henchoz and veteran striker Stephane Chapuisat were heavily criticised by Swiss media after Wednesday's 4-1 defeat by Group 10 rivals Russia in Moscow.
Kuhn has responded by saying he is not afraid of removing the experienced pair from his starting line-up for the crunch final group match with Ireland in Basel on October 11th.
"There will be changes in the team," Kuhn was quoted as saying on Swiss daily newspaper Blick'swebsite on Friday. "Henchoz and Chapuisat are not untouchable.
"In attack I would have gladly play an alternative to Chapuisat. Naturally, (Marco) Streller is in my thinking," he added of FC Basel's talented 22-year-old forward.
The result in Moscow left Switzerland top of Group 10 on 12 points from seven games with Russia - who play Georgia next month - and Ireland a point adrift.
But defeat left the prospect of Switzerland missing out on even a playoff place should they lose to Ireland next month and Russia avoid losing to Georgia in Moscow.