Niclas Alexandersson has been recalled to the Sweden squad for the friendly match against Holland in Stockholm next week.

The midfielder has been in impressive form since joining IFK Gothenburg from Everton in February 2004, and Sweden coach Lars Lagerback is happy to welcome him back following an 18-month absence.

"He is a very versatile and sensible player and we're delighted to have him back," Lagerback said in a press conference.

Meanwhile, striker Henrik Larsson has decided not to join up with the squad, instead choosing to concentrate on his new club Barcelona although he will be available for their World Cup qualifying campaign which begins in September.

"Henke has been away on a three-week long tour with Barcelona and has asked for a rest," Lagerback explained.

The friendly will be Sweden's first match since their Euro 2004 exit at the hands of Holland, who won a penalty shoot-out in the quarter finals.

Sweden squad: Magnus Hedman (Celtic), Andreas Isaksson (Rennes); Erik Edman (Tottenham), Teddy Lucic (Bayer Leverkusen), Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa), Mikael Antonsson (Austria Vienna), Mikael Dorsin (Rosenborg), Petter Hansson (Heerenveen), Anders Andersson (Belenenses); Alexander Ostlund (Hammarby), Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Gothenburg), Kim Kallstrom (Rennes), Tobias Linderoth (FC Copenhagen), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal), Anders Svensson (Southampton), Christian Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht), Mikael Nilsson (Southampton); Rade Prica (Hansa Rostock), Marcus Allback (Aston Villa), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Ajax), Mattias Jonson (Norwich).