Graham Potter has joked about Manchester City's 115 charges after Sweden was hit by a string of absences during the international break
Graham Potter, Head Coach of Sweden, takes part in the national anthem before the UEFA Nations League match against Poland
Graham Potter will be without Alexander Isak for Sweden's Nations League clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina(Image: Photo by Linnea Rheborg - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Sweden manager Graham Potter cracked a joke about Manchester City's 115 charges as he grapples with a bizarre situation with his squad.
Sweden started the international break with victories over Poland and Romania, but as it gears up for Friday night's Nations League meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Potter has lost several players to injury or illness. Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is among them, as he returned to Merseyside after the Romania win with a minor problem.
Now, Potter has been left with no choice but to make emergency call-ups as a further five players have been ruled out of Friday's game with illness. Those affected include Yasin Ayari, Elliot Stroud, Patrik Wålemark, Benjamin Nygren and Gustaf Lagerbielke.
In a press conference this week previewing the game, Potter made light of his ever-shrinking squad by joking about City's 115 charges. The story has dominated football over the last several days as an independent commission found the Manchester club guilty of almost all of them, although it has since lodged an appeal, with the process still very much ongoing.
"We've been hit by an infection or a bug," he explained to reporters. "It's not ideal but it happens.
"We've called in some players who have been fantastic. In terms of how many withdrawals, I think we've had a similar number to Man City's charges."
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The joke prompted an awkward laugh from those in the press conference. Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, who was also sitting alongside the Sweden boss, gave a small smirk.
Alexander Isak of Sweden
Alexander Isak has withdrawn from international duty with an injury(Image: Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
After the clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sweden will conclude its run of fixtures with a trip to Romania.
While Isak will, of course, not be involved, Liverpool will still be sweating over the fitness of its sole fit striker.
Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from the Achilles injury suffered earlier this year, and it is not yet certain when he will return.
With Cody Gakpo also injured on international duty, it's fair to say Andoni Iraola has limited options in forward areas.
Liverpool returns after the international break with the visit of City in the Premier League. It's a fixture that will certainly attract eyes across the globe in light of the recent developments regarding City's charges.
The Reds have lost multiple league titles by a single point to City over the years and are one of very few clubs that have gone toe-to-toe with them.
A lively atmosphere at Anfield in a little over a week's time is certainly anticipated, but it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will be able to call upon its star striker.