Hareide gives trio more time

Norway coach Åge Hareide has left out John Carew, Steffen Iversen and Ronny Johnsen from his squad for the friendly against Belgium on 18 August as they work their way back to match fitness after the summer break.

'Too soon'
"This match comes too soon for them, they are not in top form at the moment," Hareide said. "All three lack match fitness, but I hope they will be ready for the [FIFA] World Cup qualifier against Italy in early September."

Årst chance
Tromsø IL striker Ole Martin Årst makes the squad after scoring nine goals in 17 league matches this season. Sogndal IL winger Alexander Ødegaard, who made his international debut in a 4-1 win over Northern Ireland on 18 February, and veteran SFK Lyn winger Jan Derek Sørensen are also included.

Italy test
Norway kick off their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign away to Italy on 4 September, before returning home to take on Belarus at the Ullevål stadium in Oslo four days later. Scotland, Slovenia and Moldova are their other Group 5 opponents.

Norway squad
E Johnsen, Myhre, Basma, Bergdølmo, El Fakiri, Lundekvam, Riise, Riseth, Andresen, Hoseth, Gamst Pedersen, Solli, Sørensen, Ødegaard, Flo, F Johnsen, Rushfeldt, Årst.