Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has kept faith with Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos for the World Cup.
Hitzfeld keeps faith with Senderos
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has kept faith with Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos in his 23-man squad for the World Cup.
The 25-year-old spent the end of the season on loan at Everton, making just three appearances.
There was no place for another Arsenal defender, Johan Djourou, who only returned to action for the Gunners against Fulham on the final day of the season following a long-term knee injury.
"Senderos has had only a little match practice at club level, but he has always justified my confidence," said the veteran German coach.
Hitzfeld did spring a major surprise though by calling up 18-year-old midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri.
The teenager has played just 45 minutes of international football - in a 3-1 friendly defeat against Uruguay in March and only made his debut for club side Basel last July.
Hitzfeld believes the Kosovo-born youngster could lift the national side, saying: "Shaqiri has produced some good performances for Basel and he can play several positions."
Hitzfeld retains much of the squad from the 2006 World Cup in Germany and has stood by experienced players such as injury-plagued striker Alexander Frei and 33-year-old midfielder Hakan Yakin.
There was also space in the 23 for West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami and Sampdoria's talented midfielder Marco Padalino but Johan Vonlanthen failed to make the squad following a knee injury.
Hitzfeld will prepare his squad in the Swiss Alps, before playing warm-up matches against Costa Rica, in Sion on 2nd June, and world champions Italy in Geneva on 5th June.
Switzerland face tournament favourites Spain, Chile and Honduras in Group H at the World Cup.
Switzerland Squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Johnny Leoni (Zurich), Marco Woelfli (Young Boys).
Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha Berlin), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Mario Eggimann (Hannover), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria).
Midfielders: Valon Behrami (West Ham), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Benjamin Huggel (Basel), Gelson Fernandes (St. Etienne), Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria).
Forwards: Alex Frei (Basel), Blaise Nkufo (Twente), Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Hakan Yakin (Lucerne), Marco Streller (Basel).
