Open champion Padraig Harrington has pulled out of next week's Seve Trophy in Ireland because of fatigue, becoming the fourth player to withdraw from Britain and Ireland's defence.

Yet Continental Europe have been hit even harder, as seven of their players will not be appearing at The Heritage in Killenard.

Harrington, who even before he won the Open said he was looking for ways to cut down his schedule, was the top-ranked player in Nick Faldo's side.

He had already decided not to represent Ireland in the World Cup in China in November and said: "I have been advised by my trainer and physio to take a two-week break from tournament golf immediately.''

His next appearance now will be his defence of the Dunhill Links championship in Scotland in two weeks' time.

Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have also declared themselves unavailable for the Seve Trophy. Poulter is getting married.

Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and Bradley Dredge therefore qualify by virtue of their world rankings and Graeme Storm, Oliver Wilson, Philip Archer and Nick Dougherty via the European Order of Merit. Faldo is expected to name his two wild cards today and if he chooses them off the world rankings - that was the way previous captain Montgomerie did it - Simon Dyson and David Howell are in line.

As for Ballesteros' picks, also expected today, Johan Edfors and Thomas Bjorn are his next two highest ranked players.

Great Britain and Ireland: Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie, Bradley Dredge, Graeme Storm, Oliver Wilson, Philip Archer, Nick Dougherty, plus two wild cards.

Continental Europe: Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Karlsson, Mikko Ilonen, Raphael Jacquelin, Soren Hansen, Gregory Havret, Peter Hanson, Markus Brier, plus two wild cards.