/world sport
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Slovakia will be without injured captain Robert Vittek for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland on September 8 and Wales four days later.
Skipper Vittek is set to have knee surgery after being ruled out of Slovakia's Euro 2008 qualifiers.
The 25-year-old Slovak striker, who plays in the Budesliga for FC Nuremburg, is expected to undergo a knee operation on Tuesday, the Slovak football federation announced Monday.
Filip Sebo, currently on a transfer to French club Valenciennes from Glasgow Rangers, has been called up to the squad in place of Vittek.
The Slovaks are looking to the two upcoming games to revive their qualification hopes in a group in which they are currently trailing group leaders Germany, the Czech Republic and Ireland.
Everton defender Joleon Lescott has been drafted into the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.
The 25-year-old has been in excellent early-season form for his Premier League club, scoring in victories at Tottenham and Bolton.
Lescott's call-up follows the withdrawal of Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell due to a hamstring injury. Lescott joined Everton from Wolves, where he began his professional career, in June 2006.
Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll has pulled out of Euro 2008 qualifiers against Latvia on September 8 and Iceland four days later to concentrate on club duties with Scottish Premier leaders Rangers.
Carroll made his decision after talking to Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington as he wants to work on rekindling his club career.
The former Manchester United player moved to Ibrox in the summer after a difficult time at West Ham. While Carroll will remain on standby, Celtic's Michael McGovern has been drafted into the squad. E-mail to a friend 
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