Group G preview

The Aston Villa player has been in self-imposed international exile following a row with Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov, but according to Petrov the two have now settled their differences.

Bulgaria, who are unbeaten after four matches, are currently second in Group G, three points behind the Netherlands but with a game in hand.

"It was a difficult decision for me," Petrov told the Trud newspaper of his decision to retire from international football last October.

"I met up with Hristo Stoichkov three weeks ago. We talked face to face and concluded that the national team is more important than Hristo Stoichkov or Stiliyan Petorv.

"We have reached a compromise."

Bulgaria will be without striker Vladimir Manchev, who picked up a nose injury playing for Real Valladolid at the weekend, while Albania are missing three key players, including skipper Igli Tare.

The Albanians, who have yet to win a game but have managed draws with Belarus and Slovenia, will also be without striker Edvin Murati and midfielder Ervin Skela.

The good news for Albania is that veteran coach Otto Baric will be able to travel.

The 74-year-old has recovered from chest problems that saw him miss the side's 0-0 draw with Slovenia at the weekend.

The Netherlands, also unbeaten, face a trip to Slovenia and will expect to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the table.

The Dutch were also held to a 0-0 draw at home to Romania on Saturday but should be too powerful for fifth-placed Slovenia, whose only victory came against the minnows of Luxembourg.

Romania, joint second with Bulgaria, host Luxembourg and will expect to pick up maxium points against the group's bottom club.