Injuries threaten Norwegian bid

Eirik Bakke: Injured for Leeds against West Ham

Norway's injury worries are increasing by the day in the run-up to Euro 2000.

Manchester United's Ronny Johnsen and Tottenham's Oyvind Leonhardsen have already been ruled out of taking part in the Championship.

And a further six players, who were strong contenders for Norway's squad, are hampered by injuries.

The problems led national newspaper Dagbladet to talk of a 'Euro 2000 crisis for Norway' on their front page.

Unlucky

Coach Nils Johan Semb said: "We've a great number of injuries.

"Two years ago we went to the World Cup finals with an injury-free squad - we were really lucky then.

"Now we are really unlucky."

Norway's injury woe

Erik Hoften - doubtful with knee injury

Jan Soerensen - needs knee operation

Eirik Bakke - injured playing for Leeds

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - slight injury

Roar Strand - string of knocks

Vegard Heggem - struggling with leg strain

Oyvind Leonhardsen - out with heel injury

Ronny Johnsen - hasn't recovered from knee op

A knee injury to Rosenborg midfielder Erik Hoftun is worse than expected and he could be out for two to three weeks.

Winger Jan Derek Soerensen needs an operation to fix a long-running knee problem before Euro 2000 and his chances of making the final squad are slim.

Midfielder Eirik Bakke was injured playing for Leeds in their final Premiership game of the season against West Ham.

Defiant

Among other nagging worries, Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a slight injury and Rosenborg midfielder Roar Strand has been struggling with form after a string of minor knocks.

Liverpool defender Vegard Heggem trained with Norway on Thursday, but has been hampered by a leg strain.

Ronny Johnsen: Already out

The players will have to prove their fitness before Euro 2000.

Despite their problems, Semb still thinks Norway will be hard to beat in the tournament. His side have lost just three matches since the middle of 1998.