Henriksen excluded from Norway U21 squad

Midfielder Markus Henriksen has been omitted from the Norway squad for this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, while key players Valon Berisha, Håvard Nordtveit and Joshua King will only be available from the second group game at the earliest.

Norway's senior side play an important FIFA World Cup qualifier against Albania on 7 June, two days after Tor Ole Skullerud's team begin their U21 finals campaign in Israel. Berisha, Nordtveit and King will join their junior colleagues after the Albania match, but AZ Alkmaar's Henriksen will remain with the full international setup for the subsequent friendly against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

"Markus is such an important player for the senior side that he will play against Albania and will also be in the squad for the home friendly against Macedonia," said Skullerud. "The three other players will travel directly from Tirana to Israel. How much they play for the senior side will determine their playing time against England [on 8 June]." Norway face Israel, England and Italy in Group A next month.

Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Arild Østbø (Strømmen IF), Ørjan Nyland Håskjold (Molde FK), Gudmund Kongshavn (Vålerenga Fotball).

Defenders: Martin Linnes (Molde FK), Omar Elabdellaoui (TSV Eintracht Braunschweig), Stefan Strandberg (Rosenborg BK), Thomas Rogne (Celtic FC), Fredrik Semb Berge (Odds Ballklubb), Vegar Hedenstad (SC Freiburg), Alexander Groven (Hønefoss BK).

Midfielders: Magnus Eikrem (Molde FK), Anders Konradssen (Stade Rennais FC), Harmeet Singh (Feyenoord), Stefan Johansen (Strømsgodset IF), Håvard Nordtveit* (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Valon Berisha* (FC Salzburg), Abdissalam Ibrahim (Strømsgodset IF), Yann-Erik de Lanlay (Viking FK).

Forwards: Joshua King* (Blackburn Rovers FC), Flamur Kastrati (FC Erzegebirge Aue), Marcus Pedersen (Odense BK), Håvard Nielsen (FC Salzburg), Jo Inge Berget (Molde FK).

*Unavailable for opening fixture against Israel.