ROBERT HUTH has been forced to pull out of the Germany side to face Switzerland in a friendly due to a foot injury.

The national team's medical staff have stated Huth has an inflamed joint in his left foot and he would return to the North-East after receiving treatment in his homeland.

The withdrawal will be a blow to Huth, who planned to make his international comeback in the upcoming friendly, as the game in Basel on Wednesday is the last before coach Joachim Low names his squad for the European Championships this summer.

Huth, who missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Derby and has not played for the national side since the 2006 World Cup, is naturally disappointed at missing out on his intended return.

"Of course, I am disappointed that I have to delay my comeback.

"The important thing is to get healthy again as quickly as possible and I think I still have a chance of making the Euro team," he said in a short statement.

Boro have other players on international duty this week with Stewart Downing, above, being named in Fabio Capello's England squad for the first time, while Adam Johnson and Lee Cattermole are in Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad to face Poland at Molineux.

Loan ranger Josh Walker and young goalkeeper Jason Steele are with England's Under-19's ahead of their friendly against Russia.

Mark Schwarzer is in China this week as Australia's World Cup qualifying campaign continues in Kunming.

Saturday's goal scoring hero Tuncay Sanli, pictured below, has been called up to the Turkish squad as they travel to Belarus.

Emanuel Pogatetz is with the Austrian squad as they take on Holland, while Mohamed Shawky is in Cairo where Egypt face Argentina.