NORWAY are struggling with a number of illnesses within their squad as they prepare to face off with England in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Scandinavian side stunned Brazil last week thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland to book their spot in the final eight.
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Norway are dealing with a number of illnesses within their squad Credit: Getty
The squad will take on England on Saturday evening Credit: Getty
They will take on England on Saturday evening at Miami Stadium in Florida.
But the days between now and then will involve a race against time as the squad attempt to get over a number of illnesses in the squad.
There are tensions in the camp regarding several players not being totally fit for the fixture, according to Dagbladet.
Crystal Palace star Jorgen Strand Larsen was forced to miss training ahead of the side’s World Cup opener against Iraq, and ended up being an unused substitute in the fixture.
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Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who scored against Senegal in the side’s second group game, was not able to feature against Brazil because of his own illness.
Manager Stale Solbakken – who himself was spotted coughing violently while speaking to the press – acknowledged the illnesses, but attributed them to the squad’s busy, jet-setting schedule.
Solbakken said: “Really, only Jorgen has had a fever, though there’s been some coughing and rasping here and there.
“But then again, there’s the air conditioning, the flying, the traveling, and all that.
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The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up as we head towards the business end of the tournament.
England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire.
But the likes of France, Spain and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany, Netherlands, Brazil and Portugal have all been knocked out.
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Head coach Stale Solbakken admitted that players ‘here and there’ were battling illness Credit: AFP
Jorgen Strand Larsen missed training at the beginning of the tournament with a ‘fever’ Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
“There are over fifty of us, so it would be strange if nothing popped up.”
It is not known how many or which other players may be affected by the “coughing and rasping.”
But the travelling Norway squad will have three days of preparation to get as fit as possible for Saturday’s clash, after landing in Miami on Tuesday.
England will be without Jarell Quansah after his red card against Mexico, while Reece James faces a race against time to be fit for the fixture.
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