Turkey facing selection woe

Terim: Selection headache

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Uefa are unlikely to accept any request from Turkey to call new faces into their injury-hit Euro 2008 squad, meaning goalkeeper Tolga Zengin could end up playing outfield.

Ahead of their semi-final against Germany on Wednesday, Turkey are facing a selection headache following a number of injury blows.

Manager Fatih Terim is without six key players through injury, including striker Nihat Kahveci, while Volkan Demirel, Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik are suspended.

Nihat has now been ruled out of the remainder of Euro 2008 due to the thigh injury he sustained against Croatia.

However, Uefa say the deadline to allow Turkey to bring in fresh players has long since passed, and they are unlikely to make a special scenario for Terim's side, if asked.

Difficult

"You can't replace any players after the first game (of the tournament) has been played," said Uefa spokesman William Gaillard.

"We know some teams are facing difficulties, but this is a hard rule of the tournament. We have no intention of changing the tournament rules.

"If a team only had eight players to choose from before a match, then we might call an emergency meeting. But we have had no requests and we would find it a bit difficult changing now."

And Uefa's stance has led Terim to suggest that reserve shot-stopper Tolga could be named among the outfield substitutes at St Jakob-Park.

Luxury

"He could come on towards the end as a sub as last man (in defence) or a centre forward," said Terim.

"We can't allow ourselves the luxury of players choosing where they want to play."

However, Terim insists he is not intimidated by the prospect of facing pre-tournament favourites Germany.

"We have shown several times already that we can achieve the impossible. I have faith in my team and in our ability to reach the final," concluded Terim.