Frei Injury Means Nkufo Set to face Spain

An injury to star striker and captain Alexander Frei has opened the way for the Seattle-bound forward Blaise Nkufo to start against Spain tomorrow.

Frei has not made sufficient recovery from an ankle injury and Switzerland’s German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has decided not to risk him.

Nkufo will partner Bayer Leverkusen’s Eren Derdiyok  up front.

Hitzfeld will also be without midfielder Valon Behrami who similarly has not recovered from a thigh problem.

Nkufo missed Euro 2008 through injury and this represents his last chance to make an impact on the global stage before his move to MLS.