Nathalie Björn was out of the national team for more than a year because of a calf injury. But two weeks ago, she made her comeback for Chelsea and has now replaced Tony Gustavsson in the Sweden squad ahead of the two World Cup playoff matches against Lithuania.
The Sweden coach has also received information from England about how many minutes Björn can currently play.
"Natural leader"
She has half a game in her, says Tony Gustavsson.
On Wednesday, the Sweden squad gathered at Bosön (a Swedish sports training centre) ahead of the matches against Lithuania. Although Björn does not seem ready to play 90 minutes yet, Gustavsson is aiming to start her.
I would really like to have my team captain from the start. I think this young team would benefit from having a clear and natural leader in Nathalie Björn, even if she only has half a game in her physically. Then, of course, we have to make a game plan for 90 minutes. We have some other question marks, like Filippa Angeldahl, for example. How many players like that can we start with?
Why would you rather start with her than bring her on as a substitute?
In a crucial qualifier like this, when a place at the World Cup is at stake, I just think that her presence from the start brings incredible calm and stability.
Don't want to take a chance
But at the same time, Gustavsson will not pressure his team captain to play more than she can handle.
I respect the physio team and the fact that she has come back from a very long injury absence. We can't "gamble" with her. We have a match on Tuesday and, if we do what we have to, matches in November and December.
The match in Lithuania will be played on Friday. The second leg at the national arena in Solna will take place four days later. The winner of the two-legged tie will face the Czech Republic or Scotland in a decisive playoff in November or December for a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
