The Swiss ice hockey team have been dealt a potentially massive blow just four days before the start of the world championships, with first choice goalkeeper Reto Pavoni picking up a knee injury in training.

The Kloten goalie is expected to be out of action for at least seven days, ruling him out of Wednesday's warm-up match against the United States as well as Switzerland's three preliminary matches at the championships in Germany.

Martin Gerber is expected to take Pavoni's place against the US on Wednesday for the Swiss team's final test before they leave for Cologne.

Switzerland's coach Ralph Krueger insisted on Tuesday that his side were fully focussed for the match in Biel.

"From now on there will be no sloppiness," he warned. "We are taking this game just as seriously as a world championship match."

After watching his defence perform admirably in three of Switzerland's last four matches, Krueger added that he was now hoping to see an improvement in the form of his forwards.

The American team is expected to pose a tough challenge with all but one of the players having played NHL ice hockey this season.

Young goalie Rick DiPietro could make things particularly hard for the Swiss. In June he became the first ever goalkeeper to be picked as number one draft to the NHL.

swissinfo with agencies

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