Melker Ellborg earns first Sweden call-up under ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter | OneFootball

Melker Ellborg has been handed his first senior Sweden call-up by head coach Graham Potter, rewarding the Sunderland goalkeeper's recent run of starts.

According to Sunderland Echo, the 22-year-old signed from Malmo FF in January and initially backed up Robin Roefs. He stepped in after the Dutchman sustained a hamstring injury in last month's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

Ellborg kept a clean sheet on his full debut against Leeds United, then featured against Port Vale and Brighton and Hove Albion.

With Roefs racing to be fit for Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park, Ellborg could yet start against Newcastle United.

Sweden's latest squad is for a crucial World Cup qualification semi-final against Ukraine later this month.

They are dealing with injuries to Alexander Isak, Dejan Kulusevski, Viktor Johansson, Emil Holm, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Alexander Bernhardsson and Emil Krafth. Ellborg will join a group featuring Viktor Gyokeres, Anthony Elanga and Victor Lindelof.

A win on 26 March would take Sweden into a play-off final at home to the winners of Poland against Albania, while defeat would mean a friendly against that tie's losers.

Source: Sunderland Echo