Yakin injury blow to Switzerland

SWISS national team manager Kobi Kuhn was coming to terms yesterday with the loss of injured playmaker Hakan Yakin for the vital Euro 2004 qualifying tie against Russia next month. He may also miss the crunch match with Ireland in October.

“This news comes at the worst possible time,” said Kuhn. “We always say that no player is irreplaceable, but Hakan is a case apart.”

The 26-year-old, who scored against Ireland in Dublin last year, is expected to undergo a hernia operation in Zurich today.