Israel coach Dror Kashtan has been forced to call up a number of new faces as his side has been hit with injuries and suspensions ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifier match against FYR Macedonia.

Shimon Gershon and Yaniv Katan are out injured while Yossi Benayoun and Tal Ben Haim have been suspended for the match on June 2. This has provided an opportunity to Jerusalem FC striker Barak Itzhaki, who scored a wonder goal against Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

Goalkeeper Ohad Cohen and Dedi Ben Dayan and Avi Yechiel have been called up for the matches against Macedonia and Andorra. Israel hopes to build on the 4-0 drubbing of Estonia and are currently tied in second position in the group along with Russia and England with 11 points.

While Israel and England have played 6 matches each, Russia has played 5. Israel will be looking up to Chelsea striker Ben Sahar to once again provide the ammunition upfront following his two goals against Estonia in March.

Meanwhile Macedonia coach Srecko Katanec has called up defenders Igor Mitreski and Robert Petrov for the match against Israel. However Katanec will be without captain Goce Sedloski, who has been suspended from the match. Midfielders Aleksandar Mitreski and Igor Jancevski are both out injured.