Ljungberg - real fitness worry.
LJUNGBERG HIP FEAR INTENSIFIES
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Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg fears his hip injury could sideline him
for Wednesday's crunch game with Argentina.
The Swedes need only a draw to secure their place in the last 16, but the
Arsenal midfielder may not be there to help them.
Ljungberg has played on through the pain from the injury, picked up before the
opener against England, but he now thinks he may not be able to continue much
longer.
"The injury is unfortunately getting worse every match," he said. "If the
game had been on Tuesday, I would not have been able to play."
However, with less than 24 hours to go before the game that will decide their
World Cup future and could send Argentina back on the first plane home,
Ljungberg is trying to remain optimistic.
"Hopefully treatment will help. I really don't want to miss the Argentina
game," he continued.
Ljungberg's optimism will be fuelled by encouragement from Sweden team doctor
Magnus Forsbladd, who still thinks he has every chance of playing.
"The way I see it right now, he is going to be able to play," said
Forsbladd, who appeared to contradict the midfielder.
"We spoke for a long time, he is in pain, but he doesn't think it is worse
than before the England game. The injury is around the hip and it is hard to say
exactly what it is."
After a 1-1 draw with England and a 2-1 success over Nigeria, the Swedes are
ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson's men on goals scored alone.
If they retain the Group F top spot then they will have a second-round tie
against French conquerors Senegal, who drew 3-3 with Uruguay on Tuesday to make it
through the group phase in their first World Cup.
However Sweden must try and fulfil their ambitions without skipper Patrik
Andersson.
The Barcelona centre-back's groin injury will keep him on the sidelines for
the third successive game.
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