Norway manager Stale Solbakken gave a pessimistic view on Martin Odegaard's fitness as the Arsenal captain continues his recovery from injury.
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Odegaard injured on Norway dutyStill unavailable for selectionSolbakken gives update on midfielderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Odegaard suffered an ankle ligament injury in the second half of Norway's win against Austria on September 9 and has since been unavailable for the Gunners. The midfielder said he was "scared" about the severity of the issue and it is not known how long he will be out for.
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The 25-year-old was unavailable for the Norway squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Slovenia and Austria, and Solbakken admits he had long known that he would not be able to call on Odegaard.
WHAT SOLBAKKEN SAID
"Far. He is far from being in the squad," he said at a press conference when asked about Odegaard. "We will see how far he gets during this national team break. I have known for quite some time that he was not relevant for this gathering."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ODEGAARD?
The Gunners star will continue his rehabilitation while his national team-mates compete in the Nations League. First, though, Arsenal will meet Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.