Anthony Elanga’s international break has been cut short following another defeat for Sweden in World Cup qualifying.
After starting in Graham Potter’s opening game in charge over the weekend, playing 78 minutes from the left wing in a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, Elanga has pulled out from their squad ahead of Tuesday night’s meeting with Slovenia.
Responding to Elanga’s absence, Sweden Press officer Petra Thorén revealed that the winger has pulled out of their squad for “private reasons.”
Adding to this, the early suggestions from Newcastle United indicate that this is NOT injury-related, with the club now in communication with the player ahead of his return to Tyneside.
Speaking after Sweden’s defeat to Switzerland over the weekend, Elanga said: “It’s not nice. But we played a good first half. It’s hard to take anything positive from a 4-1 loss, but we have to do that. We’ve only been with Graham Potter for four days and yet we were able to show what we did in the first half.
“All the players are positive even though we lost 4-1. We just have to take the positives, do better on Tuesday (against Slovenia) and then be ready for the playoffs in March.”
On his own display, Elanga added: “I felt really good. It was my first start in a long time in any competition. I’m happy to start for the national team, it’s a great honour and Graham gives me the freedom to be a threat.”
Elsewhere, Germany will be looking to boost their World Cup hopes once again tonight, with Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw hoping for more minutes as they play host to Martin Dubravka’s Slovakia.
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