Jeglertz reflects on Finland's Sällström blow

Finland face "a tough situation", admitted coach Andrée Jeglertz, after key striker Linda Sällström was ruled out of UEFA Women's EURO 2013.

Sällström broke down during the first Finland training session at the Cyprus Women's Cup on Monday and scans confirmed a recurrence of her anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 24-year-old Linköpings FC forward had been sidelined from April 2012 with the problem but last month scored within four minutes of her Finland comeback in the 5-0 defeat of Russia. She now needs another operation and will play no part in the final tournament in Sweden this July.

Jeglertz told UEFA.com: "This is a tough situation for us. She has been our top scorer for many years and is very important for this team. But that is the way it is and some other players need to show they are important."

One of those, Sanna Talonen, registered six goals in Sällström's initial absence to see Finland through qualification – and she struck again on Wednesday as the Finns opened the Cyprus tournament by drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands in Larnaca. Talonen, Jeglertz confirmed, will again be crucial and the coach added of another, 18-year-old, prospect: "Adelina Engman, who came on in the second half, she was very good."

At the finals, Finland begin Group A against Italy in Halmstad on 10 July before going on to face hosts Sweden and Denmark.