BULGARIAN national head coach Plamen Markov is facing serious problems before the UEFA Euro 2004 qualifier against Belgium in Sofia on June 7.

Seven of Markov's men will miss the game because of injuries and suspensions. Central defender Zlatomir Zagorchich and midfielder Georgi Peev were the most recent victims in the Bulgarian squad. Peev underwent surgery last Friday after being injured during his Dynamo Kiev League game against Metalurg. He will miss the rest of the season. Zagorchich strained his thigh during his Litex away game against Locomotive Plovdiv at Lauta Park last Saturday. Also out because of injuries are AEK's Milen Petkov and Levski forward Georgi Chilikov. The gap in the Bulgarian squad became even bigger when Plamen Markov heard that Charlton Athletic's defender Radostin Kishishev announced that he was quitting the national team after a row over the captaincy with Celtic's Stilian Petrov, following the resignation of Krassimir Balakov. Markov will miss as well suspended Predrag Pazhin from Shakhtar Donetsk and Zoran Jankovich, who plays in China.

Markov reacted immediately and called for other players to fill the gap. Malatyaspor's Martin Stankov will have the task to replace Kishishev. Naftex's central half Nikolai Krastev was called as to substitute Pazhin and Zagorchich. At the last moment Markov will decide whether to call on other players.

Bulgaria are currently top of the EURO 2004 qualifying Group 8 with 10 points from four games. They are three points clear of second-placed Croatia and four clear of June opponents Belgium.