Mueller given time to make Swiss Euro 2008 squad

By Mark Ledsom

BERNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Experienced central defender Patrick Mueller has been given a chance to prove his fitness for Euro 2008 after being called up in a provisional 26-man squad by Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn on Tuesday.

Mueller, 31, tore a cruciate knee ligament in December but recently resumed training with French first division leaders Olympique Lyon and played 65 minutes in a reserve match watched by Kuhn at the weekend.

"Of course you can't compare the match to games at the highest level but he is back playing," Kuhn said after unveiling his provisional squad for the June 7-29 tournament at a media conference in Berne.

"I've had talks with him and there is still some uncertainty (about his Euro 2008 chances) but we will try to use all the time we have left. Patrick knows it is going to be very tight."

Switzerland's central defence have proved extremely effective in recent years, most notably at the 2006 World Cup where the Swiss became the first team ever to exit the tournament without conceding a goal in regular or extra time.

Questions over the form and match fitness of fellow Arsenal defenders Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou have however left many Swiss fans desperately hoping that Mueller can force his way back into contention.

Kuhn said he had asked Mueller to speak to Lyon about being released to play in Switzerland's Euro 2008 warm-up against Slovakia on May 24, the same day Lyon meet Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup final.

"We cannot demand his release," Kuhn acknowledged. "But if he is just going to be sitting on the bench for Lyon then we would much rather he is allowed to play in what could be an important test for him against Slovakia."