Ljunberg a doubt for Sweden

The Premiership’s fixture schedule has again come under fire - this time for potentially wrecking Freddie Ljungberg’s World Cup hopes.

Ljungberg is ready to play through the pain barrier tomorrow to help Sweden’s bid for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the second time in three tournaments with a victory over Senegal.

An ongoing hip injury forced Ljungberg out of Sweden’s decisive ’Group of Death’ clash against Argentina on Wednesday, with the Scandinavians salvaging the point they needed for qualification, despite being outplayed throughout.

As Arsenal star Ljungberg is unable to have a painkilling injection to ease the discomfort he has been enduring, it means rest has become the only cure.

The limp which had plagued Ljungberg for four days following the win over Nigeria has now disappeared, enabling the 25-year-old to enjoy pool work to such an extent he yesterday claimed he was hopeful of playing.

He finally returned to training today in a closed session at Oita’s Big Eye Stadium ahead of Sweden’s eagerly-anticipated second-round clash with the tournament’s main surprise package Senegal, although he was not at full stretch.

A late decision will be made on Ljungberg, who was an integral part of the Gunners’ double-winning side of last season, but he is just the latest big name to pay the price for a season-long slog.

Following Croatia’s early exit from the tournament, Chelsea midfielder Mario Stanic was critical of the amount of games played during an English season, believing it was the reason why so many players were absent or came into the World Cup carrying knocks.

Sweden team doctor Magnus Forssblad certainly believes Ljungberg is now paying the price of an exhaustive campaign, and at the wrong time as far as Sweden are concerned.

‘‘The pain occurs not so much when he runs, but he feels some type of locking (in the hip) when he stands on it,’’ explained Forssblad.

‘‘He’s had it for a few weeks, although he has felt it before, possibly during the whole season.

‘‘He has not been helped due to the amount of matches he has played, and maybe it’s too much for a soccer player to play. It’s very hard.’’

With Ljungberg’s presence pivotal to Sweden’s hopes of success, he will now have to wait until he returns to London at the end of the World Cup before the problem can be extensively diagnosed, and hopefully rectified.

‘‘I think we have to do a more complex scan and maybe it will now be done in England because we cannot do it now,’’ added Forssblad.

There is better news on goalkeeper Magnus Hedman, who strained a stomach muscle in the dramatic draw with Argentina, and was immediately declared doubtful for the clash with the Senegalese.

On Coventry’s number one, Forssblad added: ‘‘Magnus is feeling much better so there is no problem with him playing tomorrow. He is fit.’’

Hedman will certainly need to be at his best to combat Senegal’s flamboyant players who have taken the tournament by storm since their sensational and shock opening game victory over reigning champions France, who have since returned home.

Senegal, runners-up to Cameroon in the African Nations Cup, followed up such a remarkable triumph with draws over Denmark and then Uruguay, although the latter ended 3-3 after they led 3-0 at one point.

Hedman, though, does not believe Senegal are a team to be feared as he said: ‘‘We never fear opponents, and we certainly don’t fear Senegal, although we have respect for them.

‘‘We know they are a very good team which is quick and physically strong, but we know if we go out there and play well and do our job, then we have a good chance to beat them.’’