National team captain Martin Ødegaard will not be ready for the international matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan. This is confirmed by the Norwegian Football Association in a press release. The Norwegian Arsenal star played his first 90 minutes in weeks against Chelsea on Sunday. He arrived in Oslo on Monday, but is traveling back to London to receive follow-up on Arsenal’s medical equipment. – This has been a complicated ankle injury. With very few training sessions with the team in the last nine weeks, it is natural that the body is not one hundred percent at this stage, says national team doctor Ola Sand about the reason. – After thorough investigations and conversations, we have agreed that Martin will not be ready to play for the matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan. In consultation with him, we have agreed that it is better for him to return home to London to continue his rehabilitation there, he adds. Ødegaard has been out of action since injuring his ankle in September against Austria. – We knew that there was a risk that Martin would not be ready. He has had a strong desire to take part in the matches, but we cannot risk his health, says national team manager Ståle Solbakken. Ødegaard asks for understanding that he needs time. – I’ve been through a long training period, and when you haven’t practiced football in the last nine weeks, it’s natural not to be 100 percent yet. I have to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good condition, says Ødegaard. (news / NTB)
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– I have to listen to my body – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
