Middlesbrough striker Szilard Nemeth fears he may miss out on the chance to face Riverside team-mates Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu when Slovakia tackle England on Saturday.

Nemeth believes he could be the latest Slovak victim of coach Ladislav Jurkemic's tough regime.

Sunderland defender Stanislav Varga and West Ham's Vladimir Labant are among the stars who have been axed by Jurkemic since he took over 10 months ago.

Nemeth was overlooked for Slovakia's opening qualifier against Turkey, which they lost 3-0.

"The last time I spoke to the coach he was angry and put the telephone down.

"I wanted to play against Turkey even though I had not been playing because of injury.

"But the coach thought I wouldn't be fit enough and didn't pick me.

"Three days later I scored two against Sunderland."

Nemeth hopes to return for the clash with England, a game which he believes is crucial to Slovakia.

"This game is important for Slovakia. If we lose, our hopes of qualification are finished."