Injury blow for Sorensen

Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will be sidelined for six weeks after chipping a bone in his ring finger.

The 29-year-old suffered the injury during the warm up for former Denmark team-mate Ebbe Sand’s farewell game on Monday.

Although Denmark failed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup, they have friendlies lined up against Paraguay on Saturday and France the following Wednesday.

“It is a minor, but time-consuming injury, which means Sorensen will have a small protective skin on his finger for the next six weeks,” said national team doctor Mogens Kreutzfeldt.

“After that, he will be ready again without any permanent damage.”

Denmark head coach Morten Olsen has promoted 24-year-old Charlton goalkeeper Stephan Andersen to first choice in Sorensen’s absence.

“It has not been difficult for us to find the replacement for Thomas in this unfortunate situation,” he said.

“The choice of Stephan Andersen has been obvious. We know him from his previous work with the national team, and he came back to Charlton’s team in late spring. And he is a future man for the national team.”

Andersen will therefore earn his first start at senior international level.

His sole cap came against Spain two years ago, when he replaced Sorensen as a second-half substitute.