Leeds United World Cup boost as Gabriel Gudmundsson illness update emerges
Leeds United are yet to see any of their players feature at the World Cup.
Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson looks to have recovered from illness in time to play Sweden’s World Cup opener tonight.
Sweden get their tournament underway against Tunisia in Guadalupe during the early hours of Monday morning, with kick-off at 3am UK time. But Gudmundsson’s availability had been in doubt with the Leeds man sitting out multiple training sessions due to illness.
Gudmundsson had only just returned from a five-week absence having suffered a hamstring injury during Leeds’ FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea in April. The 27-year-old got 63 minutes under his belt in a pre-tournament friendly draw with Greece but was then taken ill.
On Wednesday, Sweden’s press officer told the national media Gudmundsson was in a ‘bad state’ with the left-back thought to have been isolating in a hotel room. But head coach Graham Potter provided a more positive update ahead of tonight’s game.
"Everyone is available,” Potter is quoted as saying by the Sweden Herald. "If he [Gudmundsson] does well in training today, he should be able to play.”
Gudmundsson could become one of the first Leeds players to feature in this World Cup, with the expectation being he will start if fit enough. The left wing-back is Potter’s preferred option down that side, having started both qualifying play-off matches against Ukraine and Poland back in March.
A few hours before Sweden’s opener, Japan face the Netherlands with Ao Tanaka hoping to be the first Elland Road regular to enjoy World Cup minutes. He is in the same group as Gudmundsson, the pair set to meet in the third and final group stage game.
Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor were both handed watching briefs during their respective nation’s opening fixture. The USA thumped Paraguay 4-1 on Friday while Switzerland conceded late on to draw 1-1 with Qatar overnight.