(openPR) - Eduardo da Silva isn’t the only high-profile player set to miss out this summer, with coaches’ thoughts turning to possible replacements if those currently sidelined fail to make it in time…

Bernd Schneider

“The loss of Bernd Schneider really hurts us,” admitted Germany coach Joachim Löw, whose defensive midfielder will be missing after surgery to a herniated disc. “His experience and class means he is a vital element and leader.”

Schneider, known as ‘the White Brazilian’ at Bayer Leverkusen, allows Michael Ballack (991 points) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (1,100 points) to get forward; in his absence, Löw may pick Simon Rolfes, who has nine caps to his name, alongside Torsten Frings.

Ruud van Nistelrooy

The 31-year-old striker – currently on 30 goals, 10 short of Patrick Kluivert’s national record – hasn’t played since March following ankle surgery, and Netherlands coach Marco van Basten may feel the Euros will come too soon for him. The Dutch coach has options, though. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored six goals in 11 internationals and currently sits 13th in the CPI; Liverpool duo Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt are playing well; and Robin van Persie (Arsenal) is now fit again.

Andrei Arshavin

Russia’s star striker is suspended for his country’s first two group games after being sent off in their last qualifier. For those key matches, against Spain and then holders Greece, Guus Hiddink now looks likely to pick two from Aleksandr Kerzhakov (who scored a hat-trick against Andorra), Dmitri Sychev and Roman Pavlyuchenko (the sub who scored twice against England in qualifying). Pavlyuchenko was Russia’s second highest CPI points scorer, behind Arshavin, with 649 points following his brace against England.

Tomas Rosicky

“Not a serious one, but a strange one,” is how Arsenal boss and Castrol Index ambassador Arsène Wenger describes Rosicky’s lingering knee injury. The midfielder – who amassed 1,679 CPI points with two assists, two goals and 13 shots to make the Castrol Index best XI – sustained the knock in January, and his absence has left coach Karel Brückner “very worried” according to Czech doctor, Petr Krejci.

Rosicky could be replaced by 35-year-old Pavel Nedved, who started 24 games for Juventus last season. “He would help us, without a doubt,” said striker Jan Koller. The veteran hasn’t, however, played international football since 2006…

Freddie Ljungberg

Boosted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s recovery from a knee injury – “I will be fit in plenty of time,” said the Internazionale attacker – Sweden are now awaiting news on captain Ljungberg. The midfielder sustained a knock while challenging Newcastle United’s Steven Taylor in April, and hasn’t played since. “We think he has a cracked rib,” revealed West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley.

Without Ljungberg, Sweden may find their attacking play is restricted, with winger Christian Wilhelmsson becoming a pivotal element of the side.

For more news on the European Football Championship 2008 please visit www.castrolindex.com

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