Myhre back for Belfast test
Monday, February 9, 2004
Article summary
Thomas Myhre has returned to the Norway squad for the friendly against Northern Ireland later this month.
Article body
Belfast date
Coach Åge Hareide included the 30-year-old Myhre, who this season has been on loan at English first division side Crystal Palace FC from Sunderland AFC, in his squad for the friendly against Northern Ireland in Belfast on 18 February.
'Glad to be back'
Myhre's last game for Norway was the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier away to Romania on 12 October 2002, when he made some vital saves in a 1-0 win. He has been plagued by injuries since but is now fit and playing regularly. "It's been a long nightmare, but now I am glad to be back in the Norway set-up," he said.
El Fakiri included
The only other notable inclusion is that of AS Monaco FC midfield player Hassan El Fakiri. Born in Morocco but brought up in Norway, he had earlier suggested he wanted to play for the country of his birth.
Players left out
There are no players in the party from Rosenborg BK and Vålerenga Fotball, Hareide leaving them to prepare with their clubs for UEFA Cup third-round ties later this month.
Norway squad
Myhre, Skjeldestad, Hangeland, Hanstveit, Høiland, R Johnsen, Riise, Andersen, Andresen, Bakke, El Fakiri, Hoset, Sørensen, Tessem, H Flo, Helstad, Iversen, Rushfeldt.