Lagerbäck to test new talent

Sweden coach Lars Lagerbäck will use the 15 November friendly against Ivory Coast to give "new players a chance to shine" after naming an inexperienced squad for the game in Paris.

Rest needed
FC Internazionale Milano's Zlatan Ibrahimović, fellow forward Marcus Allbäck of FC København and Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Kim Källström have been omitted due to their UEFA Champions League exertions, while Johan Elmander and Niclas Alexandersson are nursing injuries. "It's better that they can focus on one thing, rather than coming here when they need a rest. Their absence gives others a chance to shine," Lagerbäck said.

On top
Among those hoping to prove their worth are the uncapped SC Heerenveen striker Lasse Nilsson and fellow newcomer Martin Ericsson, a regular in midfield and on the scoresheet for Danish club Brøndby IF this term. Lagerbäck added: "We can work on tactics as well as giving these new players an opportunity to work their way into the squad." Sweden are the only team to have won all four of their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying matches, sitting five points clear of Denmark and Northern Ireland in Group F.