Injuries bad timing for Swiss

INJURIES in a number of key positions will force Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn to pick a much-altered team for their crucial Euro 2004 Group Ten qualifier against Russia this evening.

Victory for the Swiss will seal their place in the finals in Portugal next summer, while a win for Russia would be the worst result for the Republic of Ireland, according to manager Brian Kerr.

Switzerland are on 12 points from six matches; Ireland with 11 from seven, Russia (8 from six) and Georgia (7 from five).