Swedes look to Ljungberg
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Article summary
Sweden have named Fredrik Ljungberg in their squad to face Tunisia.
Article body
Back in training
The 25-year-old midfield player, who was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, has not figured for the English club since 21 December due to an achilles problem. However he returned to training this week and Arsenal hope he could return to the first team within the next fortnight.
Hedman returns
Also back for the Tunisia game on 12 February is first-choice goalkeeper Magnus Hedman who has missed Sweden's last three games with a calf injury but FC Barcelona defender Patrik Andersson has been left out as he is still returning to full fitness while Celtic FC's Johan Mjällby has a thigh injury. Leeds United AFC defender Teddy Lucic may also miss out as he is due to become a father around the time of the match.
Looking abroad
In all, joint coaches Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg have named a 21-man squad including only two domestic-based players. They are AIK Solna's Andreas Andersson and Djurgårdens IF's highly-rated midfield player Kim Källström.
Thinking of Hungary
Lagerbäck said this pool of players would form the basis of the squad for the UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 4 qualifier against Hungary on 2 April, although Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended for the match. "We've decided that it is important for Zlatan to be a part of the squad, so we'll see how much [of the game] he'll play against Tunisia."
Sweden squad
Hedman, Kihlstedt. Edman, Jakobsson, Johansson, Lucic, Mellberg, Michael Svensson, Alexandersson, Allbäck, Anders Andersson, Andreas Andersson, Daniel Andersson, Ibrahimovic, Jonson, Källström, Lantz, Ljungberg, Prica, Anders Svensson.