Swiss lose key defender ahead of World Cup

Key Switzerland defender Christoph Spycher has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a knee injury, the Swiss football federation announced Tuesday.

The injury also signals the end of Spycher’s Switzerland career as he had planned to retire from international football after the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Spycher, who was included in Ottmar Hitzfeld’s 23-man squad last week, tore ligaments in his left knee during a Bundesliga match with his former club Eintracht Frankfurt on April 10.

He will be replaced on the left side of defence by the experienced Ludovic Magnin, who will take part in his fourth major international tournament.

Magnin, 31, suffered a broken hand during training with his club Zurich on May 9 but is able to play with a cast following an operation, the federation said in statement.

Spycher said after taking medical advice he would be unable to recover in time for a Swiss training camp on May 25.

“That would only have been possible if the healing process had been faster than usual,” the 32 year old added.

Spycher, who has 47 Swiss caps, is transferring to Swiss club Young Boys and had already announced his intention to retire from international football after the World Cup.

“That decision was well thought over and the injury doesn’t change a thing. I had some great experiences with the national team but that time is now over,” he said.

Switzerland face Spain, Honduras and Chile in Group H of the June 11-July 11 World Cup finals.