Swede Ibrahimovic a doubt for England game

BERLIN, June 16 (Reuters) Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is doubtful for the final Group B match with England because of a groin strain, the Swedish team doctor said today.

Doctor Anders Valentin said the extent of the injury would not be clear until further tests, including an MRI scan, were conducted on the player. Ibrahimovic played only 45 minutes of yesterday's 1-0 win over Paraguay.

''Zlatan felt some pain in the left groin during warm-up and during the game the pain increased so we decided to take him off the pitch at halftime,'' Valentin said at a news conference with Sweden coach Lars Lagerback.

''Today he is feeling better. Of course we're worried about the next game,'' Valentin said before Sweden returned to their base in Bremen. The Swedes play England on Tuesday needing a point to guarantee qualification for the second round.

Lagerback had said after the match the squad's medical staff had advised taking him off, warning that if he continued he might risk missing the whole tournament.

Ibrahimovic was replaced by the bustling Marcus Allback at halftime. But it was considered unlikely he would start if Ibrahimovic is fit.

''I feel sorry for Zlatan and we'll see what happens,'' said midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who scored the winning goal in the 89th minute.

''He (Ibrahimovic) created a lot of chances for us against Trinidad&Tobago and I think he's done very well so far,'' said Ljungberg.

REUTERS PDS PM1953