Allback setback for Swedes

 

Sweden forward Marcus Allback has revealed that the injury he suffered in Wednesday's 2-1 friendly defeat against Greece was worse than first expected. 

The 30-year-old Aston Villa FC striker looks likely to be out for up to four weeks, in which case he will miss his country's next two UEFA EURO 2004? qualifiers. "Villa's physio has just x-rayed the injury, and I've ruptured my thigh," he said. "It looks like I'll be out for three to four weeks, but if I'm very, very lucky I'll be back earlier." 

Sweden, currently top of EURO 2004? qualifying Group 4 with eleven points from five games, will face San Marino in Gothenburg on 6 September and four days later travel to Chorzow to face Poland. "I've set my mind on being able to play in those games and I'm trying to be positive," Allback said. "But the injury is a tricky one that is very easy to aggravate if I try too hard to come back. I have to be very cautious."