Poulsen waits on X-Ray

SCHALKE'S Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen is anxiously awaiting a scan to determine the extent of his ankle injury.

Poulsen limped out of Denmark's 5-2 thrashing of Romania, midway through the second half of Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier.

He has already undergone one test on the joint but requires another X-ray to discover if he faces a spell on the sidelines.

"I am glad that it is not as bad as I first feared but I have to await the new X-ray tomorrow (Tuesday) before getting a final confirmation," Poulsen told Ritzau.

Poulsen has been ruled out of Wednesday's qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina along with the suspended Martin Laursen.

Thomas Rytter and Jesper Gronkjaer are doubtful for the clash in Copenhagen with Danish coach Morten Olsen hoping the duo are fit.

Olsen told BT: "It does not look good for Christian Poulsen and he is, in any case, not able to play versus Bosnia.

"Thomas Rytter and Jesper Gronkjaer are both doubtful whilst Jon Dahl Tomasson and Dennis Rommedahl are plagued by minor bruises."

The Danish boss has called Ole Tobiasen and Per Nielsen into his squad as replacements with the former stunned by his inclusion in the national squad.

"I am completely surprised," said Tobiasen. "It has gone fast both after my long injury break and after the return to Copenhagen.

"I have played just two matches for FCK. There are many others to select and I believed many were ahead of me in the pecking order.

"I am well aware the best players are injured. But that is the rules of the game. When I was injured, others took my place.

"I am very happy to be back in the squad again. That gives confidence. I look forward to greeting Morten Olsen again. He has always supported me even when I was out injured after the knee surgery."