MIXU Paatelainen is out of Finland's final European Championship Group Eight qualifier in Russia next week.

The Wanderers striker is still not back to full fitness after his recent injury lay-off.

"He's had a little bit of discomfort but it's nothing serious," Burnden boss Colin Todd said, reassuringly. "But when I contacted Mixu yesterday to tell him he didn't have to play in the reserve game, he'd already been on to Finland to tell the national coach to withdraw from next Wednesday's international. "He knows he needs a rest and, since Finland cannot qualify from their group, it's an ideal opportunity for him to take a break."

Paatelainen missed nine games with a groin injury that forced him to limp out of the opening day fixture at Wimbledon. His appearance in the Manchester City derby last weekend was his fifth game back but he was a doubtful starter and, as it turned out, was replaced in a tactical substitution after just 39 minutes. He was substitute in the Coca-Cola Cup tie at Leicester on Wednesday but wasn't used.

Sasa Curcic had already been excused duties with Yugoslavia but Wanderers will have John McGinlay away with Scotland, who play San Marino in their final Group Eight game at Hampden next Wednesday, and Gudni Bergsson, who will captain Iceland in their final Group Three game in Hungary tomorrow.

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