Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson could retain his place in the Sweden starting line-up when his country takes on Turkey tonight.
The Leeds United star captained his country during Sweden’s defeat to Austria last week and it’s been reported he could line up alongside Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof due to Andreas Granqvist becoming ill.
Fotbollskanalen have reported on Janne Andersson’s comments during his press conference when he confirmed Granqvist is a doubt: “Unfortunately he has a fever and he’s in the hotel. Then we’ll see what it is. It is impossible to say (whether he can play). He has a fever right now and therefore he did not attend today’s training.”
The Swedish football outlet report if Granqvist doesn’t make a recovery then it’s likely Jansson will remain in Andersson’s starting line, and the situation is reminiscent of what happened during the World Cup.
Due to an illness Lindelof picked up on the eve of Sweden’s opening game of the tournament, Jansson was drafted in for the clash against South Korea to partner Granqvist.
This was the only match the Leeds United player started in Russia but did make a substitute appearance against England in the quarter finals.
Jansson himself also picked up the illness after Lindelof as several players came down with something, with Granqvist now ill perhaps Sweden need to look at who makes the squad meals.
