Henriksen catches Norway coach Olsen's eye

Rosenborg BK's 18-year-old midfielder Markus Henriksen has been selected for the Norway squad to face Cyprus in a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier and Croatia in a friendly four days later.

"Markus is an exciting player who has shown quality at both domestic and international level," said Norway coach Egil Olsen. "I felt it right to reward his form with a call-up." Olsen has made few other changes, although SK Brann midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli misses out while club-mate Petter Vaagan Moen is recalled.

Leading Group H after wins against Iceland and Portugal, Norway visit Cyprus on 8 October before meeting Croatia in a friendly. "The Cyprus match will not be easy," said Olsen. "They are a good hard-working side. I should remind everyone that they drew 4-4 away to Portugal [on 3 September]."

Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Rune Jarstein (Viking FK), Espen Pettersen (Molde FK), Jon Knudsen (Stabæk Fotball).

Defenders: Vadim Demidov (Rosenborg BK), Brede Hangeland (Fulham FC), Tom Høgli (Tromsø IL), John Arne Riise (AS Roma), Knut Rindarøy (RC Deportivo La Coruña), Espen Ruud (Odense BK), Kjetil Wæhler (Aalborg BK).

Midfielders: Christian Grindheim (SC Heerenveen), Henning Hauger (Stabæk Fotball), Markus Henriksen (Rosenborg BK), Ruben Yttergård Jenssen (Tromsø IL), Petter Vaagan Moen (SK Brann), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Helge Riise (Fulham FC).

Forwards: Mohammed Abdellaoue (Hannover 96), Daniel Braaten (Toulouse FC), John Carew (Aston Villa FC), Erik Huseklepp (SK Brann), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK).