Latvia captain Vitalijs Astafjevs could be forgiven for having other things on his mind when his side takes on Greece.

Astafjevs is one cap away from equalling the record for a European player of 157 held by Estonia's Martin Reim.

Astafjevs has one eye on going on to better Reim's record but the 38-year-old will also have his focus on helping his side edge closer to a spot in next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Astafjevs said: "My goal is to be at the top of the list, and I hope I get there because I have no plans to retire just yet."

If he does equal Reim's record in tomorrow's game Astafjevs still has a way to go to match the world top mark for number of international caps.

That is currently held by former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea, who has 181.

Giourkas Seitaridis has been handed a surprise international recall by Greece boss Otto Rehhagel for the crucial qualifier against Latvia.

The 28-year-old Panathinaikos right-back has been out of the national team since earning his 66th cap against Israel in April when he was with Atletico Madrid.

Seitaridis, a Euro 2004 winner, had been without a club since he was released by Atletico in May. He re-signed for Panathinaikos in September on a four-year contract but has yet to feature in a competitive match.

Striker Vangelis Mantzios is another surprise name in the 24-man squad.

Mantzios, 26, has been drafted in for the injured Angelos Charisteas.

Mantzios, who has seven caps - the last of which came in a friendly against Italy in November 2008 - is way down the Panathinaikos pecking order with Djibril Cisse, Dimitris Salpigidis and Antonis Petropoulos all ahead of the former Panionios man.

Switzerland have an ideal chance to pull away from their main rivals as Greece and Latvia meet in Athens.

The Swiss travel to Luxembourg knowing both Greece and Latvia will be guarded against suffering a defeat which could seriously damage their own qualification hopes.

Switzerland have been the form team in the group despite a poor start which saw them open their campaign with a draw and a defeat, including a 2-1 loss at home to tomorrow's opponents Luxembourg.

Five wins and a draw last time out against Latvia left Switzerland clear in the group standings - and against the same opponents in the Stade Josy Barthel they still remain favourites to top the group and qualify for the finals.

Israel will need to beat Moldova to keep alive their hopes of finishing second in the group and earning a place in the play-offs.

But even victory in Ramat Gan would leave them hoping Greece and Latvia draw in Athens.