Norway manager Stale Solbakken says Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard remains a doubt for his nation’s clash with Turkey after suffering an injury in the win over Gibraltar.
The player, who is starting to find top form for Arsenal, was substituted at half-time after twisting his ankle, and failed to play on after the incident.
After the match, Solbakken was hopeful that Odegaard’s injury was nothing serious, though he was not involved in Thursday’s post-match training.
Although he was seen on the pitch for a brief period, he did not train – instead strolling round the pitches with a physio and his teammate Birger Meling – and he had an individual session in the gym while the squad took part in a game.
However, Solbakken hopes Odegaard will be involved in Saturday’s match against Turkey, though could not give any assurances.
‘I have not actually talked to Martin about it,’ the Norway boss told the media at a press conference on Thursday following the session.
‘He’s had his recovery with his uncle [Norway team physiotherapist Thomas Odegaard], so I don’t have the latest news.
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‘No decision will be made on that before match day, so we have to wait and see how it develops. ‘We hope he will be able to play [against Turkey], but it is a short time in between.’
If Odegaard is unavailable to play Turkey in Norway’s qualifier this weekend they will hope he can play in their away game with Montenegro on Tuesday.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to face Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday April 3 – nine days’ time – and will expect Odegaard to be fit for that huge fixture.
