Svensson out for three months
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Article summary
Sweden central defender Michael Svensson will miss the start of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Article body
Out until 2005
The 28-year-old, who missed the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals because of the problem, has been out of action for his English club Southampton FC since March. The new surgery was needed to repair damage to the right-knee joint and means he will probably not play again this year.
Malta first
Southampton physiotherapist Jim Joyce said: "It is quite a complicated one. It is not as simple as merely trimming the cartilage so it is going to be around three months before he can return to full training." Sweden are in World Cup qualifying Group 8, alongside Croatia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Hungary and Malta, and start their campaign on 4 September with a trip to the latter country.