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Switzerland captain and all-time top goalscorer Alex Frei was sent to hospital for an MRI scan on this evening after injuring his knee during the co-host's tournament-opening 1-0 defeat to Czech Republic.

Frei limped off the pitch in tears shortly before half-time with his left knee heavily bandaged after colliding with Czech defender Zdenek Grygera.

"It looks like ligament damage but we don't know for sure," Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn told a news conference.

Asked if that would mean Frei would not be able to play against Turkey in their next match on Wednesday, Kuhn replied: "Unfortunately, it looks like that's the case."

Frei became Switzerland's top goalscorer last week when he scored his 35th goal in 59 internationals, and was seen as vital to the team's chances of getting out of a tough group that also includes Portugal and Turkey.

"He's our best striker, we need him back in the team," defender Johan Djourou said after the match.

"We will take a lot of confidence from the way we played against the Czechs, especially in the first half but if we lose Alex it will be very difficult to get back into the tournament."

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