Ljungberg set for Sweden return against Chile

STOCKHOLM, May 31: Freddie Ljungberg is set to return from a foot injury in Friday's friendly with Chile, Sweden's last warm-up match before the World Cup in Germany.

''If nothing spectacular happens, he's in,'' coach Lars Lagerback told reporters today. ''The rest was perfect for him.'' The Arsenal midfielder pulled out of last week's friendly against Finland which Sweden drew 0-0 and has trained only a handful of times over the past 10 days.

He been struggling with a sore foot for the last two months and has not played for Sweden this year.

''I have always known what's wrong and only needed to rest.

That's why I was never worried,'' Ljungberg told reporters.

''(The foot) feels great and everything is very positive ...

Whether I'm in or I don't get to play doesn't really matter. I know I'm in good shape, even though it would be nice to play.'' Ljungberg is one of Sweden's key players alongside goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, and strikers Zltan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson.

Sweden are grouped with England, Paraguay and Trinidad&Tobago at the finals which begin on June 9.

REUTERS