Ibrahimovic set to return for Sweden

MUNICH, June 23 (Reuters) Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to return to lead Sweden's attack against Germany if he suffers no further fitness setbacks, coach Lars Lagerback said today.

Lagerback told a news conference that the Juventus striker, who has scored 18 goals in 40 appearances for Sweden, had trained for 65 minutes on Wednesday.

''He had no reaction to that and it looks good,'' he said. ''He had no problems and if he has no problems in training later today (Friday) then I think that probably he can play.'' Ibrahimovic, 24, regarded as a key player by Lagerback, has been suffering from a groin strain picked up in Sweden's opening group game against Paraguay.

''He is a big, strong forward who manages to be fast and agile,'' said Lagerback. ''He has unique technical skills and he can make both the unexpected and the impossible happen for us.

''He sets up his team mates as often as he scores on his own.'' With Ibrahimovic returning, the Swedes should have a full-strength squad available for a contest in which they hope their own supporters can play an important role.

A capacity 66,000 sell-out crowd at the Allianz Arena is certain, but it is not known how many Swedish fans will find a way to buy tickets and be inside the stadium.

''We know we are in for a difficult game,'' said defender Olof Mellberg. ''But we are not afraid. We are going to concentrate on our own game.

''With the crowd, it depends. It would be a disadvantage if the whole stadium is against us, but sometimes the home crowd makes pressure for the home team.

''Our big support also helped us a lot, definitely, in the first two games, especially in Berlin.'' Lagerback pointed at the late goals that the Swedes scored in their games against Paraguay and England as evidence of his squad's exceptional spirit and character, qualities he expects to be vital again on Saturday.

''They (Germany) are a very good team and we know what to expect,'' he said. ''We wont make any special plans for (Michael) Ballack, but we'll concentrate on our own game.'' Mellberg added: ''We finished well against England and we want to carry that second-half performance with us into the game. If we do that, I think we have a good chance.'' Reuters DH RS2032