The Leeds United defender picked up a knock during Sweden's victory over Ukraine last week.
Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson has put to bed any fears of an international break injury with Sweden.
Gudmundsson played a part in Sweden’s 3-1 World Cup play-off semi-final win over Ukraine on Thursday night but was substituted midway through the second-half. The left-back appeared to suffer a knock and had ice on his knee after full-time, having initially tried to play on.
That sparked obvious concern back in West Yorkshire but Gudmundsson was quoted on the night saying he wanted to be ready for this evening’s World Cup decider against Poland. The 26-year-old was put up for pre-match media duties, which is always a promising sign, during which he provided a positive injury update.
“It's calm,” Gudmundsson told Swedish outlet Fotboll Direkt ahead of tonight’s meeting with Poland. “I've been practicing and there's nothing strange about it.
“I immediately felt that it was a bang and not a twist. If it had been a twist, I probably wouldn't have been standing here now.”
Gudmundsson has made a positive impression on international boss Graham Potter, starting against Ukraine last week despite plenty of left-back competition. The Leeds man is currently ahead of Daniel Svensson and Samuel Dahl, who play for Champions League clubs in Borussia Dortmund and Benfica respectively.
A nomination for pre-game media duties might also suggest Gudmundsson is to keep his starting place for tonight’s meeting with Poland. Victory would send the Leeds man to his first ever World Cup across the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.
“It's really not something I think about,” Gudmundsson added of the competition at left-back. “I play in England match after match, that's the only thing I focus on.
“I think it should be that there is high competition. It makes you get better and better. Tomorrow [tonight vs Poland] is probably the most important match of my career.”
Gudmundsson is the only remaining Leeds player in these World Cup play-offs, with Wales losing their semi-final meeting with Bosnia & Herzegovina on penalties last week. Joel Piroe’s Suriname debut also ended in defeat to Bolivia.
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