Sweden manager Graham Potter has tipped Viktor Gyokeres to impress in the March international break with Alexander Isak out injured.
The Liverpool striker has been sidelined since December, when he was clattered by Micky van de Ven in a 2-1 defeat of Tottenham and came away with a serious ankle injury and fractured fibula.
The Solna native, capped 56 times by his country, returned to training last week, with Arne Slot saying he was “getting closer” to making his comeback.
There had been optimism that he might return in time to represent Sweden in this month’s World Cup qualification play-off semi-final against Ukraine.
He has been left out of the squad, though, as have several other injured Premier League stars, including Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski and Newcastle’s Emil Krafth.
“There's nothing we can do about it,” said Sweden manager Graham Potter of the injuries in his squad.
“It's sad to lose players due to injuries, it's like that for all teams.
“But we have a very good group, I believe in the squad and am sure that together we can find good solutions and focus on our task.”
Arsenal’s Gyokeres has been called up and is expected to start against Ukraine in Isak’s absence. He has been in fine form of late, with nine goals in 19 appearances since the turn of the year, and Potter tipped him to make the difference as the Blagult chase a World Cup berth.
“He regularly plays big games and means a lot to us,” Potter said of Gyokeres. “[He is] in an important period with his club team. He plays for a club that has
While injuries are piling up, there is one returnee for Potter in Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who made his comeback from a high ankle sprain this week.
The 20-year-old’s cameo against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening was his first since late January.
Potter added: “It is very good for him, for us and for Swedish football to have Lucas with us. He is a midfielder at a high international level. He has worked well with Tottenham in his rehabilitation phase.”
