Serbia lose three players for friendlies

BELGRADE, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Captain Dejan Stankovic is among three players already ruled out of Serbia’s upcoming international friendlies against Northern Ireland and South Korea because of injury.

Zeljko Brkic and Ivica Dragutinovic have also been sidelined for the two matches, the Serbian Football Association (FSS) said on Tuesday, while a fourth player, Marko Pantelic, remains in doubt.

Stankovic injured a hamstring in Inter Milan’s 1-1 draw with Serie A rivals Roma on Sunday while uncapped goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic is suffering from general illness and defender Ivica Dragutinovic has a thigh problem.

“I felt sharp pain in the 70th minute of Inter’s match with Roma and the Serbian national team doctors said I have no chance of playing after examining the injury,” Stankovic told the FSS website (fss.org.rs) on Tuesday.

“It’s a pity because we were going to experiment in the two friendlies, which is something you can’t do in competitive matches.”

Red Star Belgrade striker Dejan Lekic, PSV Eindhoven defender Jagos Vukovic and Genoa’s Nenad Tomovic have been called up as replacements.

Ajax Amsterdam striker Pantelic is also doubtful after limping off against Dutch first division leaders Twente Enschede with a strained hamstring.

Serbia have booked their place at next year’s World Cup in South Africa by winning their European qualifying group.

They play Northern Ireland in Belfast on Saturday before tackling South Korea at Craven Cottage in London next Wednesday.