The Englishman started the press conference with two positive messages:
+ Alexander Isak, who has not played for Liverpool in five games, is in place.
"I've spoken to him briefly. He's doing well. We have no problems," says the national captain.
And here's the other good news.
+ Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall, who recently suffered a concussion, can probably go full-time in training at the end of the week.
He's training tomorrow, but without a nod. We have to examine him, he's not here yet. We have to talk to him and the doctors, but as I understand it, he'll be there in some form tomorrow.
He'll probably go into full training on Thursday, but again. I might get in trouble by talking about it without double-checking with the doctors. The most important thing is that Lucas gets the go-ahead (from the doctors).
Lindelof captain
Potter also reveals that he has decided on center back Victor Nilsson Lindelöf as team captain. The 31-year-old is thus given the same trust as under Potter's representatives Janne Andersson and Jon Dahl Tomasson.
I think he is an experienced player. He understands what is required in the national team. He is a good leader in the group and I am sure he can get the message out to the players in the group. He is respected.
Can he play for 90 minutes?
He played 90 minutes a week. So that's good for us. We have to take that into account. We have other options as well. We have to take into account what's good for the individual and the team.
The World Cup qualifiers conclude with the meetings with Switzerland in Geneva on Saturday and Slovenia in Solna on Tuesday.
Intense days await in Marbella. Potter doesn't have much time to form a strong team of players with shattered self-confidence after the lousy start to qualifying. Sweden is bottom of the group with just one point.
“Work faster”
"Then we can work faster. I know the recent results haven't been so positive, which can happen in football. A national team is something everyone cares about so much and the pain is greater when things don't go well," says Potter.
Regardless of how the qualifiers end, a playoff to the World Cup in March is most likely waiting, thanks to the victory in the Nations League last fall.
The best way to prepare is to focus on the game on Saturday. Prepare the team as best we can and make it perform as well as possible, to have the best chance of winning. Then we move on to the next game.
"We're not thinking too much about March right now. It's all about Switzerland and winning that game. If we can be compact as a team, if we can be collectively strong, it gives us a chance to attack and defend," Potter said.
