Injured Nihat flies home

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Nihat had already been ruled out of Turkey's semi-final clash with Germany in Basle on Wednesday, and it has now been revealed he will play no further part in the tournament.

The Villarreal forward has returned home to Spain after suffering the injury three minutes from the end of extra-time in Friday's clash, which Fatih Terim's men went on to win on penalties.

A statement on the Turkish Football Association's official website read: "Before going, he sent his best wishes to the squad and wished them victory against Germany."

The 28-year-old is Turkey's joint top scorer in the competition with two goals - he scored the equaliser and the winner in his side's dramatic 3-2 win over the Czech Republic which qualified Turkey for the knock-out stages.

Nihat's absence is another blow to Turkey, whose squad is already depleted through suspension and injury.

Servet Cetin, Tumer Metin and Emre Belozoglu are all injured, while Emre Gungor has already been ruled out of the tournament.

Terim had only 15 available outfield players for the Croatia clash, three of whom will be banned for the match against Germany after picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament.

Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel will find out on Monday if an appeal against his suspension has been successful.

Indeed, such is the extent of Turkey's injury crisis that UEFA officials could be forced into an emergency meeting if Terim asks to call up a replacement player.