Swiss boss worried his players lack games

SWISS manager Köbi Kuhn has voiced concern that several players are lacking match practice ahead of Saturday’s crucial Group 10 showdown against the Republic of Ireland in Basel.

First-choice defenders Stéphane Henchoz (Liverpool) and Ludovic Magnin (Werder Bremen) have not played for their clubs since August, while top scorer Alexander Frei is a fringe figure at Rennes, with only 100 minutes of French First Division action behind him this season.

“It’s a problem I’m familiar with,” admits Kuhn. “Raphael Wicky has experienced a similar situation in the past with Hamburg, likewise Remo Meyer at 1860 Munich.