World Cup Diary/Vogts' options dry up: Nigel Quashie has become the latest player to drop out of the Scotland squad, as Berti Vogts's options for Saturday's game with Norway dwindle by the day.
Quashie picked up a calf strain during Portsmouth's 2-2 draw at Norwich on Saturday and has returned to his club, though he should be able to fly to Moldova next week hoping to participate in Wednesday's game in Chisinau.
Already without a quintet of defenders and the Southampton winger Neil McCann, Vogts has been left with a makeshift squad for the game at Hampden Park.
Yesterday he drafted Sunderland's Steven Caldwell and Reading's Graeme Murty into his squad and is also waiting to discover whether Steven Pressley can recover from a virus.
Vogts's lack of options across the back line is still a headache, but he must also consider picking a risky left-side combination - most likely Everton's Gary Naysmith and James McFadden - who have arrived at the Scottish training camp with little recent match practice.
Whitley on the brink
NORTHERN IRELAND: Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez will monitor Jeff Whitley's fitness ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Saturday.
The influential Sunderland midfielder is suffering with a tight hamstring after arriving in Baku.
Northern Ireland go into the match with only one point on the board after two games, against Wales and Poland.
Sanchez said: "It is a must-win game but Azerbaijan will be up for it at home especially as they face England after us."
Sanchez travelled with a depleted squad with key players David Healy, Michael Hughes and Tony Capaldi all suspended.
Cyprus in good shape
CYPRUS: The Republic of Ireland's Group Four rivals Cyprus face contrasting fortunes in their two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and France on Saturday and Wednesday, respectively.
Coach Motsa Vukotic, naming his 18-man squad for the two games, said: "There is only one result acceptable on Saturday against the Faroe Islands and that is a win."
Against France though he will be hoping that his team can frighten them as they did when they only lost 2-1 at home in the qualifiers for Euro 2004.
Cyprus have lost their opening two qualifiers, against Ireland (0-3) and Israel (1-2), but Vukotic said they were now in better shape than they were a month ago.
Vukotic has named eight players from league leaders APOEL Nicosia in the squad and says: "They have now played three league matches which means they are fitter than a month ago.
"So if we considered that against Israel we were much better than against Ireland, than I am sure that my players will be ready for Saturday's match."
