Why Leeds United hero Gabriel Gudmundsson missed Sweden training before the World Cup | OneFootball

Gabriel Gudmundsson missed Sweden training on Tuesday due to illness, not because of the hamstring issue that ended his Leeds United season, as he prepares for his first World Cup.

The left-back tore his hamstring in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley and was initially set for two weeks out. Rehabilitation ran longer, costing him the final four matches, though Daniel Farke rejected suggestions this was caution linked to the World Cup.

Gudmundsson returned last week, playing 64 minutes in a 2-2 friendly draw with Greece at the Strawberry Arena, where Leeds faced Manchester United in pre-season last summer.

The Sweden squad have now travelled to Dallas. Sweden Herald reported that a team press officer said Gudmundsson stayed at the hotel with mild symptoms.

Sweden open against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico on Monday at 3am UK time, then meet the Netherlands on Saturday before Ao Tanaka’s Japan at midnight UK time on 26 June.

Last month Gudmundsson said playing at a World Cup would be the biggest achievement for a footballer. He added that he hopes Sweden can do well and thinks they can go far, crediting head coach Graham Potter with bringing fresh energy and saying the squad will enjoy the tournament and see how far they go.

Source: Leeds Live