Big guns bid to close in on Euro 2012 qualification

Joachim Loew's men are one of three teams with perfect records so far, along with the Netherlands in Group E and Spain in Scotland's Group I.

Tonight, the Germans travel to Austria - one of 11 Euro 2012 qualifying matches taking place this evening - but Loew's squad has been diminished after midfielder Christian Traesch joined an injury list that already included striker Miroslav Klose, defender Per Mertesacker and midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Marco Reus.

"We don't want to lose our comfortable lead," said Loew, who has not called up any replacements. "If we drop three or four points, the others will be well in it again."

Meanwhile, France coach Laurent Blanc is "pleasantly surprised" by how motivated his players are for their qualifier away to Belarus, having feared they would be thinking more about their holidays after a gruelling season.

While Manchester United's Patrice Evra will be match fit after playing in last Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona, others such as Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery have not played for over three weeks, while Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has played only one full game in the last six weeks.

"We wondered if they had brought their flip-flops in their bags, but they are motivated. Now they have to show it on Friday," Blanc said. "We had a few questions about the physical condition of some players, with good reason. I think we've been pleasantly surprised. The players have been very positive."

France, four points clear of Belarus at the top of Group D, have won their last four qualifiers after losing their opening match 1-0 at home to Belarus last September.

The Italians are also in action this evening, taking on Estonia in Group C. While Cesare Prandelli's team can't mathematically seal qualification, a win at Modena's Alberto Braglia stadium would keep the Azzurri on course to win the group. Italy have a solid lead in the section, with a five-point advantage over Slovenia and Serbia.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been ruled out with a knee injury but goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is confident of continuing a successful campaign. "We started over from the ashes of the last World Cup and we have rebuilt a winning project," said Buffon, referring to Italy's embarrassing first-round exit in South Africa last year. "This squad is already ready to qualify for the Euros."

There are a further nine qualifiers taking place tomorrow, with England - joint top of Group G alongside Montengro - taking on Switzerland in front of a capacity Wembley crowd.The Republic of Ireland, fresh from their Carling Nations Cup win over Scotland, face Macedonia in Group B. Giovanni Trapattoni and his players headed out from Dublin yesterday afternoon after completing their preparations in Malahide.

And Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to finish his season on a high as Portugal entertain Norway in Group H. Ronaldo, who netted 40 goals at Real Madrid to set a La Liga record, said: "The season is not over yet. I have an important game to play for Portugal and I want to win it."