Norway boosted as Carew returns to training

Published on Wednesday 8 October 2008 23:13

NORWAY'S injury crisis appears to be easing ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland.

Manager Age Hareide has already been hit by a number of withdrawals for the Group 9 clash at Hampden Park and had been sweating over the fitness of more than one of his key men.

His chief concern revolves around strikers John Carew and Steffen Iversen, with the former now looking certain to play this weekend.

The latter remains extremely doubtful with a leg injury, though the former Tottenham forward was talking up his chances of being fit.

"I ran for 30 minutes on a treadmill (yesterday]," he said. "Things are going the right way. I will try some harder training (today]. On Friday, I have to be 100 per cent. I cannot say if I am able to play. I hope, but we will have to see."

Hareide admits losing Iversen would force him into a tactical rethink. "He will decide what kind of system we will use," Hareide said.

"I really hope he is fit, but it's an open question. The other injured players are in better shape."

They include striker Thorstein Helstad and midfielders Tom Hogli and Bjorn Helge Riise. Team doctor Thor Einar Andersen said: "It looks more positive. John Carew will be back in full training (today]. His neck problems are much better. The other three are improving. Steffen is better, but we have to wait and see about him."

Iversen's fellow forward Mohammed Abdellaoue is already out with an ankle injury, as are midfielders Martin Andresen (groin), Per Ciljan Skjelbred (knee) and Vladimir Demidov (groin), the latter withdrawing yesterday less than 24 hours after being called up as a replacement.

Meanwhile, Stabaek goalkeeper Jon Knudsen is bracing himself for a possible debut in place of injured first-choice Rune Almenning Jarstein.

"Everybody dreams about playing for their country, so do I," said the 33-year-old. "It looks good for me, but the training on Thursday will probably decide if I play or not.

"A game at Hampden is special, I have been told by captain Brede Hangeland. It is not easy to talk to each other out on the pitch in that kind of noise.

"We have to talk through things before the game and maybe use some sign language during the match.

"But the most important thing is to be aggressive, work hard and fight the whole game."