Ljungberg ready for England

Ljungberg in action against Japan on Sunday

Fredrik Ljungberg is expected to play through the pain barrier and take his place in Sweden's starting line-up when they meet England on Sunday.

The Arsenal midfielder is Sweden's sole injury concern ahead of their World Cup.

Player profile: Fredrik Ljungberg

Ljungberg - perhaps the player England fear most after his free-scoring exploits in the domestic Premiership - left Tuesday's training session after only five minutes, complaining of a pain in his hip.

But Sweden coach Lars Lagerback is confident his key midfielder will be passed fit to play.

Olof Mellberg and Ljungberg square-up

"We are not going to risk anything but as it looks today there won't be a problem," said Lagerback.

"He is such an important player for us, especially with the form he has shown for Arsenal this season. I want him in the starting XI."

"He feels a bit tired in his muscles and he had some smaller injuries that he picked up in the Premier League.

"But it's more a reaction to a very tough ending to the season."

And Ljungberg's recovery was helped as coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg delivered on their promise of "No Football" days on Wednesday.

The break also gave Olof Mellberg the opportunity to apologise for his rash tackle on Ljungberg.

The pair were involved in a training ground fight after Ljungberg took exception to a late challenge by the Aston Villa defender.

Swedes clash in training

"I regret the tackle. It should not have happened, I lost it," Mellberg said.

"We had some small confrontations before - nothing serious but maybe enough for me to get over-heated.

"Freddy and I are both aggressive players, but he's one of the guys I like most and you always have the hardest clashes with the guys you like the most.

"Initially we weren't able to laugh about it. It was a bit tense and it took a couple of hours before we were able to laugh about it."