Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci has been ruled out of the rest of Euro 2008 with a thigh injury he picked up in the quarter-final win over Croatia.

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.

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