Norway manager Stale Solbakken has dismissed injury concerns over Julian Ryerson, saying he will ‘look even better’ against England.
The quarter-final clash with the Three Lions is coming up on Saturday after Norway beat Brazil 2-0 thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City superstar is leading the way as the Norwegians go deeper than they ever have before at a World Cup.
England joined them in the last eight thanks to a thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca and now excitement will build for the huge clash in Miami at the weekend.
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Borussia Dortmund’s Ryerson started the win over Brazil, returning to the side for the first time since the group stage win over Senegal.
The full-back sat out the defeat to France and last 32 victory over Ivory Coast with a hamstring problem, then had to be replaced just after the hour-mark against Brazil.
Ryerson, who produced 15 assists in the Bundesliga last season, received treatment on the bench and there was concern that he would be out of the quarter-final but Solbakken has allayed those fears.
‘It was the calves. Fortunately, the injury held,’ said the Norway boss.
‘It’s just the strain, that he hasn’t trained enough. He’ll look even better in the next game.’
Solbakken was buoyant after the victory, which is arguably his country’s greatest ever, but he knows they can top it on Saturday.
‘It’s very rare that you fulfil the hopes of an entire nation in that way,’ he said. ‘That the guys make it so that all of Norway can remember that night here, no matter how it goes. We will do our best to make next weekend just as good’
Solbakken will now be fully focussed on preparing to face England, but he was happy to speak out on a ‘bad, bad, bad, bad, bad’ decision from FIFA to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban.
The USA striker was set to miss the last 16 clash with Belgium after being sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA have suspended his punishment after being contacted by the White House.
‘I think that’s a big mistake by FIFA,’ Solbakken said. ‘I think it’s not a great conclusion. He’s got the red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. He was sent off. That means you are suspended for one game.
‘I think what’s really is bad about that situation can be that it will be over (the) United States now. Because if they beat Belgium, it will have (that) extra thing about it.
‘Belgium would be furious. What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there going to be a committee somewhere that is going to take that card away?
‘Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. I feel also sorry for the United States, because if they win, that will always hang in the balance for it.
‘Not good for the sport. Bad decision by FIFA.’