Germany, England focussed on World Cup qualifying

Germany and England seek to maintain their strong starts in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday with as much attention on players who won’t be involved as those who will.

Germany’s preparations for a home game with Wales, one of 22 matches Wednesday in European qualifying, have been disrupted by a walkout from backup striker Kevin Kuranyi, while England’s hopes of making it four straight victories with a win at Belarus have been hit by the withdrawal of injured defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole.

While European champions Spain are at Belgium with no such problems, Italy are playing without the suspended Luca Toni for a home match with Montenegro.

The three-time world champion Germans sit top of Group 4 with seven points from three matches and, with each of the nine group winners guaranteed a spot at the 2010 World Cup, look sure to make it to the competition in South Africa.

But they will be trying to get there without Kuranyi, who was banished permanently from the national team after he disappeared at halftime of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Russia following his omission from the 18-man match squad.

Germany coach Joachim Loew expelled Kuranyi and said he would not take him back for Wednesday’s match against second-placed Wales – or ever again.

“My decision stays,” Loew said. “He called me Sunday night and he apologised for his reaction. He said it was a mistake. I accepted the apology but I told him my decision was irrevocable.

“We have an important game ahead of us, we want six points from these two home games. We would have achieved nothing if we follow up the win against Russia with a defeat against Wales.”

The Schalke striker’s absence shouldn’t hit his team too hard. Lukas Podolski and Michael Ballack scored in a dominant first-half performance against Russia and should be too strong for a Welsh team lacking world-class stars.

Wales rallied from a 2-1 loss to Russia to beat Liechtenstein 2-0 Saturday, but did so with a team largely drawn from England’s second tier. Fourth-placed Russia host third-placed Finland in Group 4′s other match.

England, with Spain and Greece, have a perfect record from three matches but will shuffle their lineup at Belarus.

Matthew Upson laboured in Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan and could be dropped as a stand-in for Terry, who is set to miss a second straight match because of a lingering back problem. Cole, who was jeered by fans for a blunder that handed the visitors their goal, has a hamstring injury and will be replaced at left back by Chelsea teammate Wayne Bridge.

“They’re two big players and they’re experienced and we’re certainly stronger with them in the squad,” England midfielder Steven Gerrard said.

Belarus are stronger than Kazakhstan, but could be without their best player because FC Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb, who is familiar to England’s players from his three-year spell with Arsenal, has a left ankle injury.

Croatia, five points behind Group 6 leader England, host Andorra.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque could draft Marcos Senna to replace Xabi Alonso in midfield and has warned his players that Belgium will prove tougher opponents than Estonia, beaten 3-0 in Tallinn on Saturday.

“They know the demands are bigger on Wednesday in the game against Belgium,” Del Bosque said. “We were not brilliant, but not bad either. It was a game to pick up three points and look to the next one.”

Spain lead Group 5 with nine points, two more than Turkey and Belgium, who beat Armenia 2-0 in Brussels on Saturday. The Turks play at Estonia.

Greece will put a perfect Group 2 record on the line against Switzerland.

“I hope my players understand that they have to increase their efforts and not relax at all,” Greece coach Otto Rehhagel said. “Wednesday’s game is when our big challenge starts … Our toughest opponents are Switzerland and Israel.”

Israel, two points back in second place, play at Latvia.

The Netherlands have won both two Group 9 qualifiers so far and will be at Norway hoping Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder could start after he went on as a substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Iceland. Nigel de Jong limped off with a foot injury on Saturday and will not travel to Oslo.

“We have made a good start to the campaign but we are not there yet,” Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. “It’s going to be tricky against Norway but we will go there feeling good after the win against Iceland. If we win against Norway, we will be having a great advantage.”

Group 8 leader Italy are likely to draft in Alberto Gilardino to replace Toni.

“I’m sorry for Luca, but if Lippi keeps me in the lineup in Lecce, I am ready,” Gilardino said. “I have saved up a goal for Montenegro.”