Carew absent as Norway head for Iceland

Closely tied historically – many of Iceland's first settlers were Norwegian – Iceland host Norway in their first Group H qualifier, looking to end a run of four draws between the two nations.

Team news
• There is no place for striker Eidur Gudjohnsen in the Iceland squad, with coach Ólafur Jóhannesson explaining that the 31-year-old has not been training with AS Monaco FC in France, amid rumours that he may soon be moving to England. A third goalkeeper, Ingvar Thór Kale, has been named in the selection due with established No1 Arni Gautur Arason troubled by minor injuries.

• Iceland squad
Goalkeepers: Arni Gautur Arason (Odd Grenland), Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson (FH Hafnarfjördur), Ingvar Thór Kale (Breidablik)
Defenders: Indridi Sigurdsson (Viking FK), Kristján Örn Sigurdsson, (Hønefoss BK), Grétar Rafn Steinsson (Bolton Wanderers FC), Bjarni Ólafur Eiríksson (Stabæk Fotball), Ragnar Sigurdsson (IFK Göteborg), Sölvi Geir Ottesen (FC København), Arnór Sveinn Adalsteinsson (Breidablik)
Midfielders: Brynjar Björn Gunnarsson (Reading FC), Aron Einar Gunnarsson (Coventry City FC), Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (Sønderjysk E), Rúrik Gíslason (Odense BK), Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson (AZ Alkmaar), Matthías Vilhjálmsson (FH Hafnarfjördur), Eggert Gunnthór Jónsson (Heart of Midlothian FC), Birkir Bjarnason (Viking FK), Gylfi Thór Sigurdsson (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
Forwards: Heidar Helguson (Queens Park Rangers FC), Veigar Páll Gunnarsson (Stabæk Fotball), Kolbeinn Sigthórsson (AZ Alkmaar).

• Having also missed the 2-1 friendly win against France on 11 August, striker John Carew is a key absentee for Norway's game in Reykjavik with a knee problem. He has been named in the squad as may be available for Tuesday's fixture against Portugal in Oslo, with a team spokesman explaining: "This is a knee issue he's been struggling with for quite some time, and it's the same one that caused him to miss the game against France."

• Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Rune Almenning Jarstein (Viking FK), Espen Bugge Pettersen (Molde FK), Jon Knudsen (Stabæk Fotball)
Defenders: Vadim Demidov (Rosenborg BK), Brede Hangeland (Fulham FC), Tom Høgli (Tromsø IL), Jon Inge Høiland (Stabæk Fotball), John Arne Riise (AS Roma), Kjetil Wæhler (Aalborg BK)
Midfielders: Christian Grindheim (SC Heerenveen), Henning Hauger (Stabæk Fotball), Ruben Yttergård Jenssen (Tromsø IL), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Helge Riise (Fulham FC), Espen Ruud (Odense BK), Jan Gunnar Solli (SK Brann)
Forwards: Mohammed Abdellaoue (Hannover 96), Daniel Braaten (Toulouse FC), John Carew (Aston Villa FC), Erik Huseklepp (SK Brann), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK)

Match background
• Iceland's record in 24 games against Norway reads W6 D4 L14 (W4 D1 L7 at home).

• The teams first met in a friendly on 24 July 1947 in Iceland's first official international fixture after affiliating with FIFA; Norway won the match 4-2 in Reykjavik.

• Iceland and Norway also locked horns in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying; they drew 2-2 in Oslo and 1-1 in Reykjavik, with the latter representing both sides' most recent competitive fixture. Steffen Iversen scored both of Norway's goals in the first game, while Eidur Gudjohnsen scored one in each match for Iceland.

• Iceland's last home win against their opponents was a 2-1 success in a 1988 UEFA European Championship qualifier on 9 September 1987. Norway's last win in Iceland was a 1-0 friendly victory on 20 July 1997.

• Iceland's home record in their four 2010 World Cup qualifiers read W1 D1 L2. In the same campaign, Norway managed three draws and a defeat away from home.