Zlatan returns for Finland qualifier
Sweden skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to the national team squad to face Finland on Tuesday in a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier having missed the weekend win in Moldova through injury, coach Eric Hamrén said Monday.
"Everyone trained normally and everyone is ready to play," the TT news agency quoted Hamren as saying following a training session, though it was not clear if the veteran forward would start.
Later on Tuesday, assistant coat Marcus Allbäck confirmed that Ibrahimovic would indeed suit up for Sweden, but that he would not be in the starting line up.
AC Milan's "Ibra," fresh from winning the Serie A title, remained in Sweden with ankle trouble while his compatriots swept the Moldovans aside.
The Swedes have a huge challenge on in Group E to knock Holland off top spot with the Dutch currently six points clear after a perfect start - though the Swedes have a match in hand.
Sweden claimed three points in Moldova on Friday, winning 4-1 in Chisinau.
The win against the footballing minnows was achieved with goals by Ola Toivonen, Johan Elmander (2) and Alexander Gerndt.
Elmander, who recently signed for Turkish club Galatasary, is hopeful of retaining his place in the centre of Sweden's attack but is likely to give way to a pairing of Ibrahimovic and Toivonen.
Despite the win, Sweden are struggling to catch the Dutch, who have a perfect record after six matches.
Although the Swedes have a match in hand they have six points to make up and have their sights set on grabbing the best runner-up spot.
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"Everyone trained normally and everyone is ready to play," the TT news agency quoted Hamren as saying following a training session, though it was not clear if the veteran forward would start.
Later on Tuesday, assistant coat Marcus Allbäck confirmed that Ibrahimovic would indeed suit up for Sweden, but that he would not be in the starting line up.
AC Milan's "Ibra," fresh from winning the Serie A title, remained in Sweden with ankle trouble while his compatriots swept the Moldovans aside.
The Swedes have a huge challenge on in Group E to knock Holland off top spot with the Dutch currently six points clear after a perfect start - though the Swedes have a match in hand.
Sweden claimed three points in Moldova on Friday, winning 4-1 in Chisinau.
The win against the footballing minnows was achieved with goals by Ola Toivonen, Johan Elmander (2) and Alexander Gerndt.
Elmander, who recently signed for Turkish club Galatasary, is hopeful of retaining his place in the centre of Sweden's attack but is likely to give way to a pairing of Ibrahimovic and Toivonen.
Despite the win, Sweden are struggling to catch the Dutch, who have a perfect record after six matches.
Although the Swedes have a match in hand they have six points to make up and have their sights set on grabbing the best runner-up spot.
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