Solskjær on way back for Norway

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been included in the Norway squad to play Brazil in Oslo on 16 August, the Manchester United FC forward's first call-up in more than two years.

Friendly arrangement
Solskjær, 33, is fully fit after being plagued by knee problems and coach Åge Hareide had no hesitation in selecting him, despite concerns from his club manager in England. "We know Alex Ferguson doesn't want him to play, but we are ready to make an arrangement where Ole Gunnar only plays 45 minutes," said Hareide. The striker, who last featured for his country on 27 May 2004 in a friendly against Wales, has registered 21 goals in 62 internationals. "I look forward to seeing him in action for Norway again. He has been missed," said Hareide.

Finest hour
Solskjær memorably scored the winner in Manchester United's dramatic UEFA Champions League final success against FC Bayern München in 1999. Injuries have restricted him to just 16 matches over the last three seasons with United. He made his comeback for the Old Trafford club last December before suffering another setback and making two further substitute appearances towards the end of the campaign. In ten years at United, Solskjær has played 216 Premiership games, hitting 84 goals.

Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Håkon Opdal (SK Brann), Thomas Myhre (Charlton Athletic FC).

Defenders: Erik Hagen (FC Zenit St. Petersburg), Brede Hangeland (FC København), Jon Inge Høiland (1. FC Kaiserslautern), Marius Johnsen (IK Start), Claus Lundekvam (Southampton FC), Anders Rambekk (Lillestrøm SK), John Arne Riise (Liverpool FC), Kjetil Wæhler (Vålerenga IF).

Midfielders: Martin Andresen (SK Brann), Christian Grindheim (Vålerenga IF), Kristofer Hæstad (IK Start), Tommy Svindal Larsen (Odd Grenland), Fredrik Strømstad (IK Start).

Forwards: Daniel Braaten (Rosenborg BK), John Carew (Olympique Lyonnais), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK), Sigurd Rushfeldt (Tromsø IL), Ole Martin Årst (Tromsø IL), Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Manchester United).