Hareide happy to put faith in Helstad

SK Brann forward Thorstein Helstad is confident he can reproduce his excellent club form for his country when Norway visit Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group C on Wednesday.

'Sharp as ever'
Helstad is the Norwegian Tippeligaen's 18-goal leading scorer after 21 games and is in the best shape of his career despite having turned 30 in April. He has scored in each of Brann's last four matches, including a vital strike at Club Brugge KV which helped earn his team a place in the UEFA Cup group stage. He now wants that run to continue in Sarajevo. "I'm in the best form of my life," said the former FK Austria Wien and Rosenborg BK striker, whose goals have fired Brann to the Tippeligaen summit. "I feel as sharp as I've ever been, but now I'm also more experienced."

Able deputy
Helstad has registered nine goals in 26 appearances for Norway and should lead the line on Wednesday in the absence of the injured John Carew. While the Aston Villa FC totem will be missed, Norway coach Åge Hareide is confident Helstad will prove an able deputy. "Thorstein is well suited to playing at this level," Hareide said. "I have every faith in him." Carew is not Hareide's only injury concern. Goalkeeper Rune Jarstein has withdrawn from the squad with an ankle problem, while front-man Azar Karadas is unlikely to feature after breaking a finger in training.

Hungry for seconds
Norway are third in Group C, five points behind leaders Greece but only one off Turkey, who tackle the European champions in Istanbul on Wednesday. Turkey were held to a 1-1 draw in Moldova on Saturday, and Hareide will be hoping they slip again as he targets second spot in the section. His focus, though, is the victory his side require in Sarajevo. "Bosnia away is not an easy fixture, but we go there confident in our ability," he said. "The team are well equipped to win."