Shevchenko and Arveladze in doubt

Andriy Shevchenko is struggling with an ankle injury and is rated doubtful for Ukraine's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in the Faroe Islands on Saturday. His absence would provide a major headache for coach Oleh Blokhin who already has question marks surrounding the availability of Ruslan Rotan and Serhiy Rebrov, though midfielder Rotan has returned to training following an ankle problem.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has pruned his squad for the qualifier against Scotland from 25 players to 21 after a week's training in Coverciano. Goalkeeper Marco Amelia, defenders Daniele Bonera and Manuel Pasqual, and midfielder Franco Semioli missed the cut for Wednesday's Group B game in Bari. By contrast, newcomers Max Tonetto and Fabio Quagliarella confirmed their places. Meanwhile, AS Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta has sat out training with a slight thigh injury but should be fit to face the Scots.

Shota Arveladze may have to skip Georgia's Group B match against Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday as the former Rangers FC forward has a swollen knee. Georgia coach Klaus Toppmöller is hopeful the 34-year-old AZ Alkmaar player will be passed fit. "His knee has been swollen since last Sunday and we will give him until the morning before making a decision," Toppmöller said.

Midfielder Christakis Marangos has left the Cyprus squad for Saturday's Group D home fixture against Slovakia after aggravating a knee injury in training. The 23-year-old has been told to rest for two weeks after the recurrence of the injury, which has troubled him all season at Anorthosis Famagusta FC. There are no plans to replace him.

Heart of Midlothian FC players Edgaras Jankauskas, Saulius Mikoliunas and Marius Zaliukas will be sidelined for Lithuania's weekend qualifier against France after failing to return to full fitness following injuries. Their Hearts team-mates Deividas Cesnauskis and Nerijus Barasa had already been ruled out while Edgaras Cesnauskis has refused to play for his country under coach Algimantas Liubinskas.

Hannover 96 striker Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson has dropped out of the Iceland squad to take on Spain in Group F next Wednesday. The 24-year-old has been struggling with a groin complaint and faces a spell on the sidelines. SK Brann's 25-year-old utility man Armann Smari Bjørnsson will take his place.

UEFA Cup, Newcastle 4-2 AZ Alkmaar

NewCastle Take Two-Goal Lead To Alkmaar

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins struck twice as Newcastle took control of their UEFA Cup round of 16 tie with a 4-2 victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The pace of the 10-million-pound signing from Inter Milan was a persistent threat and, on a night of brisk attacking football and pitiful defending, it was his two finishes that stood out.

The tie, however, is far from over.

AZ Alkmaar have never lost a home European tie, and their second away goal will give them hope of overturning the two-goal deficit in next week's second leg and so preventing Newcastle from reaching their third quarter-final in this competition in four seasons.

Martins was in awesome form at St James' Park, and it was his presence that forced Grétar Steinsson to put into his own net as early as the eighth minute. Two goals in two minutes from Martins and Kieron Dyer then left Newcastle three to the good midway through the half before Shota Arveladze struck for AZ Alkmaar. Martins scored again eight minutes before half-time, and Newcastle will be favourites at the Alkmaarderhout in seven days' time, though Danny Koevermans' second-half effort gives AZ Alkmaar hope.

Newcastle: Given, Bramble, Taylor, Carr, Solano, Dyer, Parker, Butt, Duff (Emre 77), Sibierski (Milner 65), Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Luque, N'Zogbia, Huntington, Carroll.

Goals: Steinsson 8 og, Dyer 22, Martins 23, 37.

AZ Alkmaar: Waterman, Steinsson, Jaliens, Opdam, De Cler, Jenner (Lens 65), De Zeeuw, Martens (Dembele 59), Boukhari (Luirink 83), Koevermans, Arveladze.
Subs Not Used: Bulters, Cziommer, Donk, Vormer.

Booked: Steinsson.

Goals: Arveladze 31, Koevermans 73.

UEFA Cup, NewCaslte 4-2 AZ Alkmaar extended highlights and goals: