Rangers defender Filip Helander out of Sweden squad with injury ahead of Russia match

Filip Helander has left the Sweden camp ahead of their friendly with Russia tomorrow night.

Rangers' defender Filip Helander sat out the win over Ross County on Saturday and now has pulled out of the Sweden squad. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

The defender missed Rangers’ 2-0 win over Ross County on Sunday and was not in Steven Gerrard’s matchday squad.

He trained with the Swedes last night but reported for national duty with a small injury, according to national team manager Janne Anderson.

That has seen him released back to Glasgow to recuperate, the national team manager confirmed today. Rangers play Celtic in the SPFL Premiership on October 17 in the first match after the international break.

Helander has 12 caps for his country, but no goals, and was part of a Swedish squad that also included Jordan Larsson, the son of Celtic striker Henrik.

Coach Janne Anderson had selected a larger than usual squad for the friendly and planned to trim numbers from 28 to 25 after the match in Moscow ahead of more qualifiers with Croatia and Portugal.