Larsson back in Sweden qualifiers squad

STOCKHOLM (AP) -Veteran striker Henrik Larsson is back in Sweden's squad ahead of the country's last two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Albania in October.

Larsson, who missed the last two qualifiers against Hungary and Malta due to an injury, was included in the 22-man squad presented by coach Lars Lagerback Tuesday.

Midfielders Viktor Elm, Daniel Andersson and forward Markus Rosenberg were also back in the squad after recovering from injuries, while Bolton striker Johan Elmander was left out due to a thigh injury.

Also included in the squad was 25-year-old Zurich midfielder Dusan Djuric.

"We have followed Dusan and seen him quite a few times. He has been a bit uneven but has a really high highest level,'' Lagerback said. "We feel that it could be time for him to be included a bit like a joker in the squad.''

Sweden plays Denmark in Copenhagen on Oct. 10 and faces Albania in Stockholm four days later.

Denmark leads Group 1 with 18 points from six games, while Sweden is second with 15 points from eight matches - meaning the Danes will secure a spot in next year's tournament in South Africa with a win.

Portugal and Hungary have 13 points each, which means the fight for second place and a playoff spot will likely not be decided until the final round.

"We will focus on the last two games and on taking six points,'' Lagerback said. "The other games we can't do anything about.''

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Squad:

Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Eddie Gustafsson (Salzburg).

Defenders: Andreas Granqvist (Groningen), Petter Hansson (Rennes), Mikael Lustig (Rosenborg), Daniel Majstorovic (AEK Athens), Olof Mellberg (Olympiakos), Mikael Nilsson (Brondby), Behrang Safari (Basel), Oscar Wendt (FC Copenhagen).

Midfielders: Rasmus Elm (Kalmar), Samuel Holmen (Brondby), Kim Kallstrom (Lyon), Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Dusan Djuric (FC Zurich), Daniel Andersson (Malmo), Viktor Elm (Heerenveen).

Forwards: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona), Marcus Berg (Hamburger SV), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen), Henrik Larsson (Helsingborg).