Greece coach Otto Rehhagel will field several reserve players in the final Euro 2008 Group D match against Spain, as injuries have sidelined at least three starters.

Euro 2004 champions Greece have already been eliminated from the tournament following two consecutive defeats to Russia and Sweden, while Spain, who won both those matches, have qualified top of the group.

"The coach has told us that some players who have not yet competed here will be coming into the team," said Alexandros Tziolis, who could fill a spot in Greece's midfield.

Other candidates are defender Nikos Spyropoulos, midfielder Loukas Vintra and striker Dimitris Salpigidis.

An FA official later told reporters several players had picked up injuries and had been ruled out.

Giourkas Seitaridis was out with a thigh injury, Fanis Gekas fractured a cheekbone in the match against Russia and will be out for six weeks, while Vassilis Torosidis was also injured, Greek FA spokesman Michalis Tsapidis said.

"Giorgios Karagounis is also doubtful," he said. Karagounis has been nursing a leg injury since the start of the tournament.

None of the injuries, apart from that of Karagounis, had been announced before.

Tziolis said anyone coming into the starting XI was ready for the match.

"In football, major success and major failure should be left behind after 24 hours," he said. "All the players want to enjoy themselves against Spain and want to show off their abilities and skills."

Spain are also expected to rest several of their key players ahead of their quarter-final.

But striker Yannis Amanatidis said that did not make Spain less dangerous.

"It is normal for them to make changes as they have one day of rest less than the other teams but with the quality of Spanish players, whoever comes in is equally good, if not better with the same high level of skills.

"That will not weaken the Spanish side at all," Amanatidis said.

Reuters