Sweden plump for untried talent

Lars Lagerbäck has broken with tradition, naming a host of young and unproven players in his squad for Sweden's friendly game against Turkey in Istanbul.

Berg chance
Having generally stuck with more experienced talent, Lagerbäck has elected to run the rule over some less seasoned talents in the game on 6 February. He said: "We'll take a look at these players and after that we'll have to see what happens during the spring." FC Groningen striker Marcus Berg may get the chance to make his senior debut, with the coach saying: "He played very well for IFK Göteborg last season and he has continued to do well in Holland. He's a strong and quick goalscorer and he's got every chance of establishing himself in the national side in due time."

No big deal
Rasmus Lindgren, who recently joined AFC Ajax from from Groningen, is also included, with Lagerbäck saying: "It will be interesting to see what he can do. We've had our eyes on him for a while." A number of senior players have been omitted from the squad, but Lagerbäck insists that he and his assistant Roland Andersson allowed them to take time off as he was already certain of what they had to offer. "No one has asked to be rested," he said. "It's a decision that I've made together with Roland."

Sweden squad
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (Manchester City FC), Rami Shaaban (Fredrikstad FK).

Defenders: Petter Hansson (Stade Rennais FC), Matias Concha (VfL Bochum 1848), Mikael Nilsson (Panathinaikos FC), Daniel Majstorovic (FC Basel 1893), Behrang Safari (Malmö FF), Fredrik Stoor (Rosenborg BK), Peter Larsson (Halmstad BK).

Midfielders: Dusan Djuric (FC Zürich), Samuel Holmén (IF Elfsborg), Rasmus Lindgren (AFC Ajax), Christian Wilhelmsson (Bolton Wanderers FC), Anders Svensson (IF Elfsborg), Kennedy Bakircioglü (AFC Ajax), Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham City FC), Kim Källström (Olympique Lyonnais).

Forwards: Marcus Berg (FC Groningen), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen), Johan Elmander (Toulouse FC).