Former Denmark defender Morten Bruun believes a lack of first-team football at Leeds United is damaging Rasmus Kristensen’s international career. An underwhelming start to the campaign saw the 25-year-old dropped shortly after the World Cup break.
Luke Ayling returned to the side for the trip to Newcastle United on New Year’s Eve - and has started every Premier League game since. Kristensen arrived as a Jesse Marsch protege, with the American signing him at Red Bull Salzburg before doing the same three years later at Leeds.
Long-serving stalwart Ayling was set to leave Leeds this summer but his upturn in form resulted in Leeds chiefs offering him a new deal last month. Kristensen, who burst onto the scene at Ajax before his move to Austria, last featured in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Fulham and is yet to adapt to Premier League life.
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Ex-Dane veteran Bruun is concerned a lack of game time for Leeds will hinder his international chances. Denmark, despite many naming them as pre-favourite underdogs, crashed out at the group stage in Qatar - with Kristensen playing all three games.
“In the back positions, Kasper Hjulmand has in all probability had something to think about,” Bruun told TV 2 Sport. “Victor Kristiansen, who after his move to Leicester has knocked strongly for the national team, has been injured, and then Rasmus Kristensen has slipped out of the team in Leeds.
“There was a lot of faith in Rasmus Nissen Kristensen, but doubts have now arisen because Hjulmand would prefer not to select players who are reserves for their club team.”
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