Sweden manager Janne Andersson has told the country’s media it’s unfortunate Leeds United’s Pontus Jansson will be missing for the upcoming internationals.
Jansson and Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof have pulled out of the games against Romania and Norway.
Quizzed about the absence of the Leeds United star in his press conference today, Andersson said as covered by SportBladet: “As always we had some withdrawals. It’s unfortunate Pontus Jansson has a minor knee injury and Victor Nilsson Lindelof has to return for personal reasons.”
Speaking to SportBladet, Helander was asked about stepping in for Jansson and Lindelof: “I read that Victor and Pontus have declined. Clearly I’m ready. We’ll see who plays. I know that it will be as fun as usual to gather with the national team.”
It’s been confirmed by Leeds United that Jansson has been ruled out for up to three weeks after picking up an injury during the defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday. Jansson usually been the defender to drafted in by Andersson if either Lindelof or Andreas Granqvist haven’t been available, at the expense of Helander.
Helander is now likely to partner Granqvist in Sweden’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier later this week. Jansson will hope he does well, although not well enough to leapfrog him in the pecking order.
ND
