Leeds United handed World Cup lift as Gabriel Gudmundsson nears Sweden opener | OneFootball

Leeds United are still waiting for a first World Cup appearance from one of their players, but Gabriel Gudmundsson looks to have shaken off illness in time for Sweden’s opener.

Sweden face Tunisia in Guadalupe in the early hours of Monday, with kick-off at three am UK time. Head coach Graham Potter has offered a positive update, telling the Sweden Herald that everyone was available and that if Gudmundsson trained well he should be able to play.

His involvement had been in doubt after he sat out multiple training sessions through illness. On Wednesday he was described as in a bad state and was thought to be isolating in a hotel room.

The 27-year-old had only just ended a five-week hamstring lay-off sustained in April’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea, playing 63 minutes in a friendly draw with Greece before falling ill.

Gudmundsson could be among the first Leeds players to feature at this World Cup, and could start if fit. He has been Potter’s preferred option at left wing-back, having started both play-off ties against Ukraine and Poland in March.

A few hours earlier, Japan meet the Netherlands, with Ao Tanaka aiming to become the first Elland Road regular to see minutes. He shares a group with Sweden and is due to face Gudmundsson in the third game.

Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor had watching briefs in their nations’ openers. The USA beat Paraguay 4-1 on Friday, while Switzerland drew 1-1 with Qatar overnight.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk