Published: Saturday August 29, 2009 MYT 12:36:00 PM
Updated: Saturday August 29, 2009 MYT 12:43:34 PM

Swiss coach Hitzfeld recalls Von Bergen, Nef

BERN, Switzerland: Steve Von Bergen and Alain Nef were recalled by Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld on Friday as he seeks the right combination in defense for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Latvia.

Hertha Berlin's Von Bergen and Nef, from Italian club Triestina, replace Arsenal's John Djourou, who injured his knee in training before a 0-0 draw with Italy in a friendly two weeks ago, and Philipp Degen of Liverpool.

Von Bergen could go directly into the starting lineup as Hitzfeld was concerned enough with Philippe Senderos' struggle to cope with the Italy forwards.

Degen pays for his performance against Italy at right back, even though first-choice Stephan Lichtsteiner is suspended for the visit by Greece to Basel on Sept. 5.

Midfielder Gelson Fernandes could deputize in defense, while Eintracht Frankfurt captain Christoph Spycher returns to the squad after injury.

Greece lead the Swiss on goal difference in Group 2 with four matches to play, and St. Jakob Park is a 38,000 sellout for the showdown.

Switzerland beat the Greeks 2-1 in Piraeus last October when regular strike pairing Alex Frei and Blaise Nkufo both scored. Hitzfeld's team visits Latvia in Riga on Sept. 9. - AP

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Squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Johnny Leoni (Zurich), Marco Woelfli (Young Boys).

Defenders: Philipp Degen (Liverpool), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha Berlin), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Alain Nef (Triestina), Ludovic Magnin (Stuttgart), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Midfielders: Johan Vonlanthen (Zurich), Gelson Fernandes (St. Etienne), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Benjamin Huggel (Basel), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria).

Forwards: Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Alex Frei (Basel), Blaise Nkufo (Twente), Hakan Yakin (Lucerne), Marco Streller (Basel). - AP

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